ABSTRACT
Seeds of eleven perennial Gentiana collected from Turkey were analyzed using the SEM method. Other species excluding G. septemfida, G. boissieri, G. gelida were studied for the first time. They were identified and compared in terms of seed characteristics and surface ornamentations. Major characteristics including the outer periclinal walls of testa, sculpting of inner periclinal walls, seed shape, seed and testa cell, wing cell size, thickness of testa wall and seed shape have been proposed for Turkey Gentiana. They are divided into different types, such as no wing, chalazal wing, incomplete discoid wing, complete discoid wing according to the outer periclinal walls of testa. Considering primary sculpting of seeds, irregularly striate and shallowly reticulate type is observed. Anticlinal walls of G. olivieri, G. boissieri and G. gelida are curved, while others are straight. G. lutea has the largest mean seed (4.20 x 4.40 mm), while G. cruciata (0.67 x 0.60 mm) and G. olivieri have the smallest mean seeds (0.67 x 0.67 mm). Seed micromorphology can be used together with morphological character to form classifications in studied specimens for Gentiana genus.
Keywords:
Gentiana; seed-coat; scanning electron microscope; Turkey
