Studies on the anatomy, micromorphology, palynology and ecology of some species belonging to the sections asperula and glabella of the genus Asperula l. (Rubiaceae)

This dissertation investigates selected species of the genus Asperula L. (Rubiaceae), which are naturally distributed across various geographical regions of Turkey and are known to contain pharmacologically significant compounds. The primary objective of the study is to provide a comprehensive assessment of species belonging to the sections Asperula and Glabella, with a particular focus on their micromorphological, anatomical, palynological, and ecological characteristics. The species examined within this framework include, from section Asperula: A. arvensis (field woodruff), A. orientalis (oriental woodruff), and A. setosa (bristly woodruff); and from section Glabella: A. cymulosa (Amanos woodruff), A. involucrata (pale woodruff), and A. xylorrhiza (Siirt woodruff). Detailed investigations were carried out on the micromorphological features of stems and leaves, as well as on the anatomical structures of roots, stems, and leaves. Micromorphological analyses emphasized diagnostic traits such as trichome morphology, stomatal types, and epidermal characteristics, whereas palynological examinations focused on pollen morphology, including shape, size, aperture type, and exine ornamentation. These findings not only yield valuable insights for systematic taxonomy but also contribute to understanding the adaptive strategies of the investigated taxa to their natural environments. Since 2024, extensive fieldwork has been undertaken to document the natural distribution areas of the species and to collect multidimensional ecological data. The ecological analyses aimed to clarify habitat preferences, environmental tolerances, and adaptive responses of the species to the ecological conditions characteristic of their respective distribution ranges. Overall, this research contributes to the elucidation of the multifaceted biological properties of selected Asperula species occurring in Turkey with potential medicinal relevance. Furthermore, it provides a fundamental basis for the conservation and sustainable use of these species, as well as for future pharmacological investigations.