Systematic significance of achene morphology and anatomy among certain species of Anthemideae (Asteraceae)

Abstract

Achene diversity of 12 genera with 22 species of the tribe Anthemideae was studied using light and scanning electron microscopy. These genera are Achillea L., Anacyclus L., Anthemis L., Brocchia Vis., Chlamydophora Ehrenb. ex Less., Cladanthus Cass., Cota G. Jay, Cotula L. Glebionis Cass., Matricaria L., Tanacetum L., and Tripleurospermum Sch.Bip. A description of the achene of each species, a key to the investigated taxa based on morphological and anatomical features, as well as drawings of cross sections, are provided, and SEM micrographs of achenes are provided. Macro- and micro-morphological criteria concerned with achenes were investigated, and the taxonomic relationships between the studied taxa were discussed.