Journal of Scientific Research and Reviews, vol.3, no.3, pp.40-49, 2014 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)
In this study, some anatomical features of 12 Ornithogalum species (eleven nonendemic, one endemic)
which included by two subgenera (subgen. Ornithogalum and subgen. Beryllis) have been investigated
for the first time. Also investigated anatomical features of every Ornithogalum species, they are
naturally distributed in Eskişehir (Central Anatolia-Turkey) and its environs, were compared with each
other on the purpose of assign taxonomic value of these features and so make contributions to the
taxonomic identification of these taxa. For this reason, 11 anatomical chracters (7 for leaf and 4 for
stem) of these Ornithogalum species were investigated. In addition to, photos of superficial section of
upper and lower epidermis, cross section of the leaves and scapes given. According to the comparison
of these features some useful anatomical chracters have been found in subgenus level. For example,
stomatal index of lower epidermis in subgen. Subgen. Ornithogalum was 15-60 number mm2
and
subgen. Beryllis was 25 number mm2
. Vascular bundle numbers in subgen. Ornithogalum and subgen.
Beryllis was 10-32 and 20-30, respectively. Stem diameter of subgen. Ornithogalum is 3,040-5,336 mm
and subgen. Beryllis is 4.608-4.852 mm. These features are pratically useable for distinguish subgen.
Ornithogalum and subgen. Beryllis.