Seed morphology of some taxa of Cuscuta L. genus distributing all over Turkey

In this study; Seed morphology of 13 species of the genus Cuscuta L. distributed in Turkey was investigated. The width/length measurements and color observations of the seed samples were examined under a stereo microscope, and the minimum, average and maximum values were calculated. For this purpose, 5-10 mature seeds were used for each taxon. In addition, the shape and ornamentation of the seeds were determined by the images obtained by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Seed shapes are generally oblong, ellipsoid, ovoid, discoid, obovate, ovate, pyriform and seed ornamentation; reticulate-foveate, reticulate-ruminate, colliculate, areolate-granulate, rugose, reticulate-foveolate, ruminate foveate, glebulate and rediculate. According to the results obtained, it was determined that there were significant differences within the species. At the same time, morphological differences between species will help in the taxonomic evaluation of species that are close to each other.