Systematically comparasions on the anatomical properties of some Heracleum L. (Apiaceae) species

The aim of this thesis is to clarify relations in species and subspecies by fruit morphological and anatomical features of 17 taxa belong to Heracleum L. (Apiaceae). Studied taxa are H. sphondylium L. subsp. ternatum (Velen.) Brummitt, H.sphondylium L. subsp. montanum (Schleicher ex Gaudin) Briq., H. sphondylium L. subsp. cyclocarpeum (C. Koch) Davis, H. sphondylium L. subsp. artvinense (Manden.) Davis, Heracleum paphlagonicum (Czeczott), H. platytaenium (Boiss.) , H. sosnowskyi (Manden.), H.crenatifolium (Boiss.), H. persicum (Desf.), H. trachyloma (Fish. & Mey.), H. pastinacifolium C. Koch subsp. pastinacifolium (C. Koch), H. pastinacifolium C. Koch subsp. transcaucasicum (Manden.) Davis, H. pastinacifolium C. Koch subsp. incanum (Boiss. & A. Huet) Davis, H. argaeum (Boiss. & Bal.) , H. humile (Sm.), H. apiifolium (Boiss.) and H. pastinaca (Fenzl).The purpose of this study was to find out the relations among species and subspecies of Heracleum genus by means of anatomical and morphological features.Morpologically, the shapes, the presence of hairs and vittae and lenght of mericarps are different.In anatomical studies, cross-sections were taken by microtom from fruit, lignified tissues were stained to red by safranin.In cross-sections, mericarps are generally elipsoid in wings. Types of mericarp junction with carpopfore are different. Mericarp is composed of exocarp, mesocarp and endocarp layers. Vascular bundles are in wings. Althought all taxa have 2 dorsal vittae and 2 dorsalateral vittae, some taxa don?t have commissural vittae. Otherwise, three dorsal rib bundles are found between dorsal vittae.Key Words: Heracleum , fruit anatomy, Apiaceae.