Comparative morphological anatomical and palynological studies on Thymus migricus Klokov & Des.-Shost and T. fedtschenkoi Ronniger var. handelii (Ronniger) Jalas grown in East Anatolia

Abstract

Thymus migricus Klokov & Des.-Shost., and T. fedtschenkoi Ronniger var. handelii (Ronniger) Jalas are growing in Eastern Anatolia. Thymus fedtschenkoi var. handelii is an endemic species as the other is Iran-Turan element. Both the species have similar morphological, anatomical and palynological features. However, some differences have been determined in between species. T. migricus is similar to T. fedtschenkoi var. handelii but bigger in all its parts. Their leaves dimensions, lateral veins, hairs of outer calyx surface and nutlets shape are morphological different. Exine sculpturing is microreticulate in T. migricus while it is suprareticulate in T. fedtschenkoi var. handelii in pollen morphology.