Scape, Rhizome and Root Anatomy of Polygonatum Species from Turkey

Objective: Polygonatum (Asparagaceae) is a rhizomatous monocotyledon genus that is distributed in the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. The genus is represented by 5 species in Turkey (P. glaberrimum, P. latifolium, P. multiflorum, P. verticillatum and P. orientale). Karyological, palynological, phylogenic, chemotaxonomical and some anatomical studies of Polygonatum species have been carried out previously. However, the detailed anatomical features of the scape, rhizome and root of Polygonatum species grown in Turkey have not been examined before and so the aim of this study is to determine their anatomical characteristics. Also, the study compares the species with each other according to obtained anatomical characteristics and comparing them with previous anatomical studies. Materials and Methods: Investigations were carried out on fresh material collected from wild habitats during July 20092012 in Turkey. Cross-sections of scape, rhizome and roots were cut by hand, detailed photographs were taken under a light microscope, and anatomical structures were drawn in detail with an isograph pen. Results: The anatomical structures of Polygonatum species have monocotyledones features. Significant differences between species were observed, such as the number of costas in the scape, number of xylem arms in the root and the types of vascular bundle in the rhizome. Also, the anatomical characteristics of the species were compared with previous anatomical studies. Conclusion: The anatomical features determined by this study will be useful at the species level as well as at the genus and family level. Hence the obtained data will contribute to the literature.