Investigation of the Verbascum diversifolium Hub.-Mor. and V. birandianum Hochst. (Scrophulariaceae) species in view of taxonomy

ABSTRACT Master Thesis INVESTIGATION OF THE Verbascum diversifolium Hub. - Mor. Ve V. hirandianum Hochst. (Scrophulariaceae) SPECIES IN VIEW OF TAXONOMY Ebru YÜCE Fırat University, Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Department of Biology, 2003, Page: 37 Verbascum L. genus is represented with the 359 taxa and a lot of endemics, is one of the largest genera of Flora of Turkey. Verbascum diversifolium Hub.- Mor. and V. hriandiamim Hochst taxa consists in the same group (G) of this genus have described as closely allied and similar species. Both species have been represented in the EN and VU categories in the Red Data Book as threatened plants. In this study, the morphological, anatomical, palynological and chemical features of these endemic taxa were investigated to do contribution to the systematics of species. External morphologic features of the specimens collected from. Elazığ vicinity were described and anatomical features obtained from the cross section of the roots, stems and leaves were determined. Pollen characters of the studied species were investigated with the light microscope and seed fatty acid composition were analysed with GC-MS (Gas Chromatography -Mass Spectrophotometry) after extraction and methylation process. Linoleic, linolenic, oleic and palmitic acid were determined as major fatty acid at the high ratios. The pollen type of studied species were observed as tricolpate. The pollen shape was determined as oblate in V. diversifolium and suboblate in V. birandianum. The findings were discussed with the literature data. Keywords: Verbascum, Scrophulariaceae, morphology, anatomy, pollen, seed fatty acid, systematics.