Biosystematic characteristics and distribution in Türkiye of some Asclepiadoideae and Periplocoideae (Apocynaceae) taxa

In this study; it was aimed to contribute to the systematics of the taxa of the Periplocoideae (Periploca graeca and P. gracilis) and Asclepiadoideae (Araujia sericifera, Cionura erecta, Cynanchum acutum ve Gomphocarpus fruticosus) subfamilies distributed in Türkiye by determining the detailed morphological features and leaf, fruit and seed micromorphological characteristics. Morphological and micromorphological analyzes were carried out on herbarium specimens kept in the Herbarium of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University, Department of Biology and Herbarium of the Faculty of Pharmacy of Istanbul University. In morphological studies, a comprehensive diagnostic key for Turkish Periplocoideae and Asclepiadoideae taxa and amended descriptions of each examined taxon including detailed morphological photographs were presented. In addition, the distribution of taxa in Türkiye has been revealed in the light of current data. In micromorphological examinations, healthy and mature leaf, fruit and seed parts obtained from herbarium specimens were examined using SEM, photographed at different magnifications, and detailed surface properties of taxa were determined. The data obtained revealed that, characteristics such as shape, pubescence and surface ornamentation of leaf, color, shape and pubescence of corolla, shape and size of corona and pistil, shape and pubescence of anther, shape and pubescence of fruit, shape and surface ornamentation of seed differ among the taxa studied and contributed significantly to the differentiation of taxa at subfamily, genus and species levels.