Morphological, anatomical and molecular analysis of species belonging to the genus Equisetum L. grown in the flora of Turkey within the scope of sustainable forestry

In this thesis study, the morphology, anatomy, palynology and molecular characteristics of taxa belonging to the genus Equisetum Linn (Equisetaceae) growing naturally in Turkey were investigated. Descriptions of the taxa and a differential diagnosis key are given. It has been observed that the morphological characteristics of individuals of the genus vary even on a species basis, depending on the habitat conditions. Stem cross-sections and side-branch cross-sections of taxa belonging to the genus Equisetum were studied. In body cross-sectional examinations, it was observed that the ratio of the central cavity to the body diameter and the number of vallecular/carinal canals were decisive characters in species discrimination. It has been determined that the side branch cross-section is less decisive than the trunk cross-section. Spores of taxa belonging to the genus Equisetum are circular in shape and have no effect on species distinction. Genomic DNAs of taxa belonging to the genus Equisetum were isolated, the rbcL and trnL-F regions of the chloroplast DNA were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequence analysis was performed. According to the sequence data obtained from the taxa of the genus, a phylogenetic tree was created and the phylogenetic relationship between the taxa was determined.