Pollen morphology and Stem anatomy of some Salsola L. species (Chenopodiaceae) in southern Iraq

The pollen morphology and stem anatomy of four Salsola species (Chenopodiaceae) includes S. crassa Bieb., S. jordanicola Eig., S. longifolia Forsk. and S. vermiculata L. from the southern Iraq were studied. The results of the present study demonstrated that the pollen grains of the four species were characterized by isopolate, spheroidal, polyporate, circular pore and nano-spinulate ornamentation. The pollen diameter, pore number, pore diameter, average of the distance between the center of the pores and C/D ratio that can play an important role in species separation. Pollen diameter and pores number have been shown to give a good taxonomic significance to divide the species in tow groups. S. crassa have been largest pollen grains and pore numbers than with other three species that had been studied. The results of the stem anatomical features investigation provide really significant taxonomical value to distinguish the Salsola species, thickness of the epidermis, Cuticles, Chlorenchyma Collenchyma, Sclerenchyma and also Xylem row length were important to separate the four species. Pith diameter to stem diameter percentage (P/S) were varied among four Salsola species and showed a taxonomical value among the species.