Türkiye'de Yetişen Beş Artemisia L. Türünün Gövde Ve Yaprak Anatomisinin İncelenmesia

In this study, it is aimed to make anatomical analysis of five different Artemisia L. species (A. absinthium L., A. annua L., A. abrotanum L., A. incana (L.) Druce, A. tournefortiana Rchb.) grown in Turkey and contribute to the definition of this genus, which has some taxonomic problems. The materials for anatomical study were preserved in 70% alcohol. Free hand cross sections were taken using sharp razor blades, stained and mounted in Sartur Reagent and Chloralhydrate (50%) solution. Anatomical structures of the stem and leaf of selected species were examined under the light microscope. Their detailed structures were illustrated with photographs. Results have shown that stem and leaf anatomical features of the Asteraceae family are mostly shared by all species. However, some characters could be considered species-specific. In cross- sections, the stems of all studied species have more or less irregular rounded shapes, but prominent ribs containing collenchyma tissue could be noticed only in A. annua stem. The leaves of A. absinthium and A. incana were covered by glandular and densely T-shaped non--glandular trichomes on both sides however, A. tournefortiana had no hair at all. There were highly apparent secretory canals located in both the stem (next to the endodermal cells) and the leaf (near to xylem) of A. tournefortiana. The anatomical structure of leaves and stems of A. tournefortiana and A. incana growing in Turkey was demonstrated for the first time. Our results revealed that the studied species are anatomically distinguishable from each other and also provided valuable features for better species identification and contribute to the anatomy of the genus Artemisia.