study the stem and leaf anatomical variation of Clypeola (Brassicaceae) in Iran

Abstract: Clypeola L. is an annual herb with wide distribution in Mediterranean and south west Asia. In Flora Iranica five species was reported. In this study 11 populations have been studied including C. jonthlaspi, C. aspera (Grauer) Turill, C. lappcea Boiss., and C. dichotoma Boiss. Totally 13 quantitative and 6 qualitative features were measured and evaluated. In stem and leaf anatomical study of this genus, characters such as internal phloem, presence of endodermis layer in stem cortex, sclerenchyma between endodermis layer and vascular bundles are of diagnostic value. An interesting feature of this genus is the presence of abnormal vascular bundle in stem of individuals with abnormal flower morphology. The secondary xylem ring is also an abnormal feature. In general stem and leaf anatomical features should be considered as supplementary source of data for these taxa in future studies.