The study of fruit structure in endemic and semi-endemic species of Veronica L. (Plantaginaceae) in Iran

Veronica L. (Plantaginaceae) is one of the largest genera with about 450 species in the world. This genus is present in different regions of Iran with 61 species. According to previous studies, the morphological and micromorphological characters of this genus have a taxonomic significance. Therefore, we tried to solve the systematic relationships of this genus by studying the morphological, micro-morphological and anatomical characters of its fruit in endemic and semi-endemic species of Iran, that have been studied less. After preparation, the fruits were studied using a SEM (Scanning electron Microscope). Cutting manually and double staining were performed for anatomical studies. In this study, various traits such as size, color, shape and surface of the capsule as well as anatomical characteristics such as number and type of cell of different layers of pericarp were investigated comparatively between different species. The shape of the capsule was varied from ovoid to obcordate and tip to emarginate. In most cases, the capsules are puberulent, and only in the V. viscosa the surface is glabrous. The endocarp is generally lignified, the mesocarp cells vary from rounded to square and from one to four layers. Epicarp often consists of elongate cell.