Macro and Micromorphological Studies on Seven Species of <i>Heliotropium</i> L. (Boraginaceae Juss.) in South West of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Genus Heliotropium L. (Heliotropiaceae) in south west of Saudi Arabia has been studied; seven species of H. arbainense Fresen, H. longiflorum (D.C.) Jauber & Spach, H. petrocarpum Hockst & Steud, H. strigosium Willd, H. zeylanicum Lam . , H. jizanense Al-Turki and H. lasiocarpum Fisch were collected, recognized, typed and nomenclatured. The most valuable characters were those of macro and distinct micromorphological data such as stomata, hairs, pollen grains and stem anatomy. Light microscopy has been used in these studies. From the obtained results, trichomes and pollen grains data in addition to stem anatomy indicated good taxonomic tools to differentiate between species of this genus. Different traditional measurements were strikingly also helpful for the discrimination of species. H. longiflorum was characterized by distinctive data such as prominent anatomical information, P/E (1.8 μm) in addition to presence of spindle hair which in turn can be separated as a taxonomic level. Also, the results revealed a complete affinity between the two species of H. jizanense and H. lasiocarpum . An artificial key is provided for the differentiation between the studied species.