ANATOMICAL, PALYNOLOGICAL AND MICROMOPHOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS ON ENDEMIC THYMUS BRACHYCHILUS JALAS (LAMIACEAE)

Abstract

Objective: In this study, it was aimed to investigate the anatomical and palynological features of endemic Thymus brachychilus Jalas. Material and Method: The plant material was fixed in 70% alcohol for anatomical investigation. Cross sections of the stem, leaves, and leaf surface sections were stained with sartur solution, and the anatomical aspects were examined. The trichome architectures, mesophyll cells, stomatal index, and glandular and non-glandular trichomes features of leaves and stem have been investigated and compared with the other Thymus species anatomical findings. In addition, measurements of anatomical structures were made. Pollen, flower parts, epidermis and trichome structure of the leaves, were examined in SEM. Result and Discussion: This is the first anatomical, palynological and micromorphological study on Thymus brachychilus. The epidermis of leaf consists of a single row of elongated shaped cells and is covered with a thin cuticle. There are nonglandular and glandular trichomes in the upper and lower epidermis. Two different types of nonglandular trichomes were found. Stomata are diacytic, and the epidermis is amphistomatic. The mesophyll layer is dorsiventral. The stem cross-section is square. The outermost single-row, elongated, square or rectangular epidermis is covered with a thin cuticle. The pollen symmetry is isopolar, shape is suboblate. It has hexacolpate and bireticulate properties.