AN ANATOMICAL STUDY OF THE GENUS ISATIS IN IRAN

Abstract

As a complement to morphological research on the genus <em>Isatis</em> (Brassicaceae), an anatomical study was conducted on the fruit, leaf and stem of 18 species and four subspecies of this genus, as well as two species belonging to the genus<em>Pachypterygium. </em>Inclusion of the members of the later genus in the study was to clarify the evidences that supported their affinity to the genus <em>Isatis</em>. As a result, it was found that, fruit and leaf anatomy yields useful information for the genera under study, as documented by photographs taken from transverse section of these organs and the stem. It also supported the idea of transferring <em>Pachypterygium brevipes </em>and <em>P. multicaule</em> to the section <em>Eremoglaston</em> of <em>Isatis</em>, as the fruit anatomy of these species showed that the only stated distinctive characteristic of them from <em>Isatis</em>, i.e. thickened fruit margins, did not hold good.