A chemotaxonomical investigation on Mentha L.species of Turkey

vııı ABSTRACT Genus of Mentha has problems in taxonomy. It is still discussed whether M. piperita, which was first defined by Linnaeus, is a species or hybrid species. The excess of the hybridation ability among the species and polimorphisim is the basic problem. In our investigation, Mentha species which are distributed in Turkey (M. pulegium L., M. arvensis L., M. aquatica L., M. x piperita L., M. x dumetorum Schultes, M. suaveolens Ehrh., M. x villoso-nervata Opiz, M. longifolia (L.) Hudson ssp. noeana, M. longifolia (L.) Hudson ssp. longifolia, M. longifolia (L.) Hudson ssp. typhoides var. calliantha, M. longifolia (L.) Hudson ssp. typhoides var. typhoides, M. spicata L. ssp. spicata, M. spicata L. ssp. tomentosa) have been identificated again by comparing morphological, anatomical, palinological, and chemotaxonomical aspects. Each of the phenolic spots in the leaf extracts have been isolated with two dimensional thin layer chromatography and numbered by comparison of their Rf values and colour reactions against reagents. The distribution of the numbered spots of the species have been calculated by the similarity (Cs) and matching (Cm) coefficients. The species were categorized into two groups according to coefficient values as a result of group analysis. ît has been found that the chemotaxonomical findings of the species are matching with sistematical findings that is obtained according to morphological, anatomical, and palinological characteristics. A new key has been developed to be used in recognition of all the species in Turkey. Key Words: Chemotaxonomy, Mentha (Mint), Labiatae, Taxonomy, Morphology, Anatomy, Palinology.