ANATOMY AND TRICHOME MICROMORPHOLOGY OF STACHYS SCARDICA (GRISEB.) HAYEK (LAMIACEAE)

Abstract – The anatomy and micromorphology of the vegetative organs and calyx of Stachys scardica (Griseb.) Hayek were investigated using light (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The analysis of the anatomical structure of stem, leaf and leaf petiole showed the presence of an additional adaxial phloem in the vascular bundle of the petiole that was recorded exclusively in species belonging to the subgenus Betonica. On the surface of studied plant parts, three types of trichomes were found: simple nonglandular uniseriate multicellular, nonglandular branched elongated and glandular peltate trichomes. The present study shows that certain micromorphological and anatomical features of Stachys taxa are valuable taxonomic characters. Key words: Stachys scardica; LM; SEM; glandular trichomes; petiole anatomy