Introduction of significant diagnostic characters in mericarps of Alcea L. species(Malvaceae)

A schizocarp is a dry fruit that, when mature, splits up into mericarps. The fruit in Alcea genus is schizocarp and mericarp is one of the most important parts in grouping within the genus. In this study, the mature mericarps from seventy populations of Alcea from different parts of Iran (west, northwest, north, Northeastern, center) was studied using stereomicroscope. The results show that the most Diagnostic characters of mericarp which varies among species groups are: the presence or absence of wing, smooth or rugose wings, tomentose or glabrous wings, the presence or absence of trichome on either side of the mericarp, the color and size of mericarp, number of mericarps in fruit, flat or canaliculate dorsal surface of mericarp and various trichome types (simple or branched) and trichome density in dorsal surface of mericarp.

کلیدواژه ها:

Mericarp ، Alcea L. ، Systematic