Seed morphology of Nigella s.l. (Ranunculaceae): identification, diagnostic traits, and their potential phylogenetic relevance

Autor(en)

Andreas Gregor Heiss, Matthias Kropf, Susanne Sontag, Anton Weber

Abstrakt

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(en)

Externe Organisation(en)

Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

Journal

International Journal of Plant Sciences

Band

172

Seiten

267-284

Anzahl der Seiten

18

ISSN

1058-5893

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1086/657676

Publikationsdatum

2011

Peer-reviewed

Ja

ÖFOS 2012

106008 Botanik

Link zum Portal

https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/de/publications/seed-morphology-of-nigella-sl-ranunculaceae-identification-diagnostic-traits-and-their-potential-phylogenetic-relevance(95b16002-f61b-476a-9763-5373ad30083b).html