AN ANATOMICAL STUDY OF FIVE POLYSTICHUM SPECIES IN IRAN

Abstract

In this research, five species of genus <em>Polystichum</em>, belong to Aspidiaceae, namely, <em>P. lonchitis</em>, <em>P. woronowii</em>, <em>P</em>. <em>setiferum</em>, <em>P</em>. <em>braunii</em> and <em>P. aculeatum</em>, gathered from Gilan and MazandaranProvinces were anatomically studied. To distinguish anatomical character of different growing organs such as pinnules, rachis, rhizumes and roots, the cross section was prepared. Based on these researches, identification key was made and the results were shown with most differences in shape and size of xylem in rachis sections.