CYPSELARMORPHOLOGY AND ANATOMY OF FIVE SPECIES OF THE TRIBE INULEAE- ASTERACEAE

Abstract

The family Asteraceae is regarded as one of the most advanced family in dicotyledons byTakhtajan¹. The fruit of Asteraceae is technically termed as cypsela which is developed from bicarpellary,unilocular ovary. The fruit is basically non endospermous but it has one to two layers of endosperm at mature state.The detailed morphological and anatomical features of mature cypselas of 5 species under 3 genera (Inula helenium, I. britannica, I. ensifolia, Pulicaria  dysenterica, Telekia  speciosa) of the tribe Inuleae have been studied. Special emphasis is given to the surface configuration, structure of surface hairs, stylopodium, carpopodium and pappus bristles of cypselas. Anatomical features also interesting. In all the studied species, anatomical features exhibit cellular variations. In Inula ensifolia ,Telekia speciosa , Pulicaria dysenterica, I. britannica; epicarpic region containing calcium oxalate crystal. Crystal formation has an important taxonomic parameter. If crystal formation takes place; there is no phytomelanin layer. In remaining studied species, crystal formation has not been observed. A testal feature is also important taxonomically. In Inula ensifolia, testa is biseriately arranged, in remaining studied species, testa is uniseriately arranged. In Pulicaria  dysenterica, endosperm is biseriately arranged, whereas in remaining studied species, endosperm is uniseriately arranged. It is found that the observed features have taxonomic applicability and on the basis of which an artificial key to the studied species is prepared for the identification.