Biosystematics invengitations on the taxa of Epilobium L. (Onagraceae) in Turkey

In this study, Epilobium sensu lato L. (Onagraceae) taxa distributed in Turkey were investigated by means of morphological, seed morphology and palynological aspect for the first time. Emended descriptions, habitat types, threat categories, updated distribution maps, and identification keys were composed for Turkish Epilobium taxa. Turkish Epilobium taxa were reorganized under the genera Epilobium L. and Chamaenerion Seg. Beside E. prionophyllum Hausskn. treated as a subspecies of E. anatolicum Hausskn. in Flora of Turkey, has been put into distinct species, C. bordzilovskyi Tzvelev and C. angustifolium L. subsp. karsianum Tzvelev are synonym of C. stevenii (Boiss.) Sosn. ex Grossh and C. angustifolium (L.) Scop. respectively. Among the examined taxa, E. alpestre (Jacq.) Krocker was assessed under the EN and E. frigidum Hausskn., E. obscurum Scheber, and E. roseum Scheber subsp. roseum were assessed under the VU category according to the IUCN guidelines. Light and scanning electron microscopic observations showed that pollen grains of Chamaenerion are monad, 3-zonoporate, oblate or suboblate, baculate ornamentation, while pollen grains of Epilobium are tetrad, 3-zonoporate, oblate or suboblate, baculate-rugulate, rugulate or baculate-pliate ornamentation. It was also observed that seeds of Chamaenerion are beaked with white coma, and straight or undulate anticlinal walls, seeds of Epilobium are beaked or beakless with white or reddish-brown coma, and straight anticlinal walls