Trichome properties of Alcea aucheri (Boiss)Alef. (Malvaceae) and their systematic implications

The trichome distribution on the aerial parts of Alcea aucheri (Boiss.) Alef was studied in order to understand the usefulness of these characteristics for systematic purposes. The cross-sections of stems, leave and petiole were prepared and studied with light microscopy. Generally, two basic types of trichomes can be distinguished: glandular and non-glandular trichomes. The glandular trichomes are multicellular and stalked. The stalk is also uni or multi-cellular. Non-glandular trichomes can be subdivided into subtypes, simple unbranched and branched trichomes. Based on the size, non-glandular trichomes of the simple type are short or long. The branched (stellate) trichomes are composed of 5−20 uni cellular arms and based on variations observed can be subdivided into subtypes: stalked, subsessile or sessile. Stalked glandular trichomes show variation in the size and cell number, the stalk in this trichomes can be up to ten cell layers.