NUTLET MICROMORPHOLOGY IN SELECTED SPECIES OF NEPETA L. (LAMIACEAE) IN KASHMIR HIMALAYA

The nutlet micromorphology of thirteen species of Nepeta was investigated by scanning electron microscopy. Two main patterns i.e. reticulate and indistinct reticulate are described. Both patterns are of smooth type. Reticulate type is found in both Kashmir and Ladakh regions of the study area and indistinct reticulate type is exclusively confined to cold desert region of Ladakh. The nutlets of N. govaniana are largest and that of N. raphanorhiza are smallest among the species studied. Out of 13 studied species, 11 belong to reticulate type and 2 belong to indistinct reticulate. Only smooth pattern is found in our species and no sculptured pattern is recognised.