Taxonomic investigation on some Centaurea L. (Asteraceae) species growing surrounding in Elaziğ

In this study, morphological, anatomical and karyological characteristics of 18 species belonging to Centaurea L. ( Centaurea aggregata subsp. aggregata, Centaurea virgata, Centaurea balsamita, Centaurea behen, Centaurea polypodiifolia var. polypodiifolia, Centaurea polypodiifolia var. pseudobehen, Centaurea carduiformis subsp. carduiformis var. carduiformis, Centaurea urvillei subsp. urvillei, Centaurea urvillei subsp. armata, Centaurea urvillei subsp. hayekina, Centaurea cynarocephala, Centaurea kurdica, Centaurea derderiifolia, Centaurea drabifolia, Centaurea kotschyi, Centaurea saligna, Centaurea iberica, Centaurea solstitialis) were investigated. Morphological structures of the samples collected from each locality were measured and analysed. Anatomical characteristics of the species were determined by sections taken from root, stem, leaf and showed no prominent differences from other species belong to Centaurea genus. Seeds of the examined species were benefited for chromosome studies. In consequence of the studies performed in divisible somatic cells, chromosome counts and karyotype analyses of species were done and idyograms were generated. The chromosome number of Centaurea behen, Centaurea polypodiifolia var. polypodiifolia, Centaurea polypodiifolia var. pseudobehen, Centaurea solstitialis are found to be 2n=16; Centaurea aggregata subsp. aggregata, Centaurea cynarocephala, Centaurea kurdica, Centaurea saligna are found to be 2n=18; The chromosome number of Centaurea carduiformis subsp. carduiformis var. carduiformis, Centaurea urvillei subsp. urvillei, Centaurea urvillei subsp. armata, Centaurea urvillei subsp. hayekina, Centaurea iberica are found to be 2n=20; The chromosome number of Centaurea balsamita is found to be 2n=26; The chromosome number of Centaurea derderiifolia, Centaurea drabifolia, Centaurea kotschyi are found to be 2n=36. It is confirmed that the chromosomes are median region (m) and submedian (sm) centromeres. Key Words: Centaurea L., Asteraceae, Morphology, Anatomy, Karyology