Micro-morphology of fruit and pollen in Satureja khuzistanica Jamzad.

Abstract

Background & Aim: <em>Satureja khuzistanica</em> Jamzad. is an aromatic and medicinal perennial plant belongs to family mint (Lamiaceae). It is also an Iranian exclusive endemic species, its essential oil components are widely used in medicinal, culinary, and perfume industries. Experimental: Flowers were collected in 10 regions in Khuzistan and Lorestan provinces, Iran at early anthesis during 2009. Micro-morphology of pollen and nutlet was studied through SEM observation. Results & discussion: Insignificant pollens of <em>S. khuzistanica</em> were hexacolpate, radially symmetrical, oblate-spheroidal, and isopolar. Exine sculpturing is bireticulate and pitted. The nutlets showed undulate-reticulate pattern formed by hexagonal cells. Industrial and practical recommendations: Micro-morphology comparison of nutlet and pollen in <em>S. khuzistanica</em> with other genus of Lamiaceae imports for taxonomy this genus. The <em>S. khuzistanica</em> pollen is like other types and species of family Lamiaceae and all of these differences and similarities can help in more exact taxonomy of this species, along with other researches.