Morphological, Palynological and Ecological Study on Potential Ornamental Plant: Endemic Campanula myritifolia Boiss. & Heldr. (Turkey)

ABSTRACT

Background and Objective: Campanula myritifolia Boiss. & Heldr. being an endemic, chasmophyte spread into a confined space in the south of Turkey. It is also an element of East Mediterranean phytogeographical region. The morphological, palynological and ecological features of the species has been investigated in this study. Its detailed description was carried out by determining particular differences between its morphological measurements and “Flora of Turkey”. Its palynological properties, such as pollen size, thickness of the exine and intine etc., has been examined. Materials and Methods: The plant material was collected from the natural areas in Anatolia. General features were presented by assigning minimum and maximum limits in order for the variation to be determined in the identification of the species. The analysis of 2 kg soil samples with 0-20 cm depth and diameter obtained from the area in which the plant indicated expansion was executed. Results: The pollen is tricolporate, exine sculpturing pattern is rugulate at C. myritifolia. Its seed surface morphology has a definite and organized structure with stripes in the shape of long striates. The physical and chemical analysis of the soils in which the plant grows has performed. C. myritifolia typically grow best in soils with a pH 7.5 (slightly alkaline) with clayey-loamy constitutions. Conclusion: Morphology, seed surface and pollen structure, phytochemistry are used in solving taxonomic problems of Campanula genus. In the section Tracheliopsis, which has a problematic structure, contributed with Campanula myritifolia with pollen, seed and ecological data to reveal differences and similarities between species.