Seed morphology of Nigella s.l. (Ranunculaceae): identification, diagnostic traits, and their potential phylogenetic relevance
- Author(s)
- Andreas Gregor Heiss, Matthias Kropf, Susanne Sontag, Anton Weber
- Abstract
A comprehensive morphological and anatomical analysis was carried out on seeds of all 15 species currently recognized in the genus Nigella s.l. (including Komaroffia and Garidella). In addition, a selection of six infraspecific taxa was examined. Using testa thin sections, morphometry, and SEM imaging, seed coat characters proved to be a highly diagnostic and powerful tool in species identification. A dichotomous identification key is presented along with seed descriptions, measurements and anatomical details, LM photos, and SEM micrographs. Analyses using maximum parsimony and character mapping onto a DNA-based phylogeny suggest that seed characters will be useful for ongoing phylogenetic studies in the genus. The importance of properly identifying Nigella seeds is highlighted for applied use in archaeobotany and pharmacognosy.
- Organisation(s)
- External organisation(s)
- Universität für Bodenkultur Wien
- Journal
- International Journal of Plant Sciences
- Volume
- 172
- Pages
- 267-284
- No. of pages
- 18
- ISSN
- 1058-5893
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1086/657676
- Publication date
- 2011
- Peer reviewed
- Yes
- Austrian Fields of Science 2012
- 106008 Botany
- Portal url
- https://ucris.univie.ac.at/portal/en/publications/seed-morphology-of-nigella-sl-ranunculaceae-identification-diagnostic-traits-and-their-potential-phylogenetic-relevance(95b16002-f61b-476a-9763-5373ad30083b).html