A numerical taxonomic study of the genus Artemisia L. (Asteraceae) in the Isfahan province

Abstract

Artemisia L. is the largest genus of the Anthemideae tribe and one of the largest genera in the family Asteraceae. Globally, the number of species of this genus has been more than 500 species, of which 34 species have been reported in Iran and 8 species in the Isfahan province. The wide distribution of Artemisia species in Iran makes this genus as one of the main element of Irano-Turanian region. In order to the morphological study of the genus Artemisia, quantitative and qualitative characters related to reproductive and vegetative structures of this plant were collected in 64 samples. Based on morphological traits resulted from the specimens using GenAlEx 6.5 and NTsys 2.02 softwares, cluster diagrams and principal component analysis (PCoA) were drawn. In the cluster diagram, the Seriphidium Besser ex Less. Dracunculus Besser Rydb. and Artemisia subgenera were placed in separate clusters and next to each other. The results of present study showed that some traits such as gender and situation of flowers in capitulum, indumentum of the stem and receptacle, the situation of petiole at the basal and middle leaves, trichrome on both sides of the leaf surface and also the shape of outer phyllaries and their indumentum, have more taxonomic value. Eventually, an identification key of the Artemisia species in Isfahan province was provided.