Research Journal of Agriculture and Biological Sciences, 4(6): 725-733, 2008 © 2008, INSInet Publication The Morphological and Anatomical Properties of Salvia argentea L. (Lamiaceae) in Turkey Pelin Baran, Cânan Özdemir and Kâmuran Aktaş Celal Bayar University, Faculty of Art and Science, Department of Biology, Manisa/Turkey. Abstract: In this study, the morphological and anatomical properties of Salvia argentea L. (Lamiaceae) have been investigated. S. argentea has a perennial taproot. The stem is erect and quadrangular. Leaves are simple. Inflorescense is verticillate cyme. The upper lip of corolla is white, tinged light lilac at the top. The lower lip is cream. In our research, the cross-sections of root, stem, leaf, petiole, calyx and corolla are indicated. The anatomical features are discussed. Results are presented with photographs, drawings and tables. Key words: Anatomy, Lamiaceae, Morphology, Salvia, Salvia argentea, Turkey INTRODUCTION and anatomical characters, except a few species[6,17,7,20,21,5,19,2]. Any morphological and anatomical Many species of Lamiaceae are aromatic and often study in detail, has not been found in the literature, used as herbs, spices, folk medicines, and a source of except the main morphological knowledge of S. fragrance[25]. Salvia, the largest genus of the family argentea in “Flora of Turkey”[15]. In this study, we Lamiaceae, represents an enormous and cosmopolitan aimed to introduce morphological and anatomical assemblage of nearly 1000 species displaying a characters of Salvia argentea in detail. remarkable range of variation. The genus comprises 500 spp. in Central and South America, 250 spp. in MATERIALS AND METHODS Central Asia/Mediterranean, and 90 spp. in Eastern Asia[24]. Turkey is a major diversity centre for Salvia in Plant samples were collected from natural Asia[23]. Since the most recent works of the genus in populations between 2003-2004. Some samples were Turkey, four new species have been described; the total used for morphological and anatomical studies, some has now reached 90. 47 of these Salvia species in were dried as herbarium sample. Samples were Turkey are endemic[15,8,11,10,14]. collected from the following locations: Salvia species are important group of useful plants which have not lose their importance since ancient CB1 İzmir: Kemalpaşa Nif mountain, roadside, c. times. The genus is named “Salvia” derived from 1500 m, 15.vi.2003, Baran 015 “Salveo” which means “to save, to recover” in Latin[13]. CB1 Manisa: Spill mountain, rocky place, c.1500 m, Salvia, commonly known as sage, has multiple uses 20.vi.2004, Baran 016 such as condiment, food additive, seasoning, spice and herbal tea[9]. The seeds of Salvia species often produce The taxonomical description of the species follows mucilage on wetting[15]. This clear mucilage that the Hedge[15]. Anatomical studies were carried out on the seeds give off on wetting is used for lacquerware and samples kept in alcohol 70%. The paraffin method was is mixed with fruit juices to produce pleasant drinks[12]. applied for preparing the cross-sections of root, stem, In the East countries, that mucilage is used for the leave, petiole and flower using microtome[1]. treatment of eye diseases[3]. Beside Salvia species have medicinal value, they are also grown in parks and RESULTS AND DISCUSSION gardens as ornamental plants[18]. Historically, Salvia argentea leaves have been used against wounds, Results: probably as a haemostatic. The appearance of the Morphological Properties: Perennial root with a thick, young leaves, which are very hairy, may have played dark brown outer cover was taproot. Stem was erect, a role in the folk ‘perception’ of the external medical clearly quadrangular. Stem branchs were arranged properties of the species[22]. Most of Salvia species decussately. Stem indumentum was pilose. Leaves, have not been investigated in point of morphological differing between ovat and oblong were simple, mostly Corresponding Author: Pelin Baran, Celal Bayar University, Faculty of Art and Science, Department of Biology, Manisa/Turkey. Tel: +905325584663 Fax: +902362412158 E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] 725 Res. J. Agric. & Biol. Sci., 4(6): 725-733, 2008 basal. Leaf edge was irregularly erose. Leaf epidermis cells were sinuous walled (Fig. 3 C-F, indumentum was villose. Leaf venation was reticulate- Table II). pinnate. Petiole indumentum was villose. Inflorescence was verticillate-cyme. Flowers were zigomorphic, Petiole: Epidermis, the outermost layer, was formed by located at the base of bracts. Flowers were 2-4, 6 in cells oval, squarish or nearly rectangular. Parenchyma a verticel. The upper lip of calyx was tridentate and with circular cells and intercellular spaces was 17-23 the lower lip was bidentate. Calyx indumentum layered under epidermis. Discontinous collenchyma was was villose. The upper lip of bilabiate corolla was present under epidermis. collateral vascular bundles white, tinged light lilac, strongly falcate, compressed were 5 or 7 and large in the center and 3-5 and small from laterals, two small lobed at the end and the in the ends of the petiole. The central vascular bundles lower lip was cream. The median lobe of three lobed had 49-69 xylem rays (Fig. 4 A-C, Table II). lower lip was the largest one and two small lobed at the end. Corolla tube was ventricose. Stigma was Calyx: Adaxial and abaxial epidermis were single unequally bifurcated. Stamens were B type. Fruit of layered and with diacytic stomata. Cuticle was the four dry nutlets were light brown, trigonous, thickest where the large vascular bundles were present. mucilaginous on wetting. Seed surface was reticulate The outer surface of epidermis cells was sinuous patterned. Bracts were acuminate. The plant were walled and without papilla. Abaxial epidermis cells densely covered with glandular and eglandular hairs were usually larger than those adaxial. Parenchyma (Fig .1, Table I). with a lot of chloroplasts and intercellular spaces was 4-7 layered (Fig. 4 D-F, Table II). Anatomical Properties: Root: Peridermis was 5-6 layered at the outermost of Corolla: The outer surfaces of epidermis cells were the cross-section. Parenchymatous cortex under sinuous walled and sometimes with papilla or smooth. peridermis was 4-7 layered in young root and 18-20 A thin cuticle surrounded epidermis cells. Epidermis layered in old root. Sclerenchyma groups were present cells were larger at where vascular bundles were both on phloem and at primary cortex in old root. present. Parenchyma with large intercellular spaces was Cambium was unclear. Trachea cells were gradually 1-2 layered (Fig. 4 G-J, Table II). enlarged towards the outer. Center of young root was filled with xylem, in contrast to that of old root filled Discussion: Our morphological findings of S. argentea with parenchymatous pith. Pith rays were 1-32 rowed are comparable with the description of the taxon in (Fig. 2, Table II). “Flora of Turkey”[15] except for the qualitative properties of morphology, taking into consideration that Stem: Stem was clearly quadrangular in the cross- our findings belong to the period of 2003-2004. section. Epidermis, single layered, was formed by oval, The difference in the number of the collected plant squarish or nearly rectangular cells. 2-12 layered samples in “Flora of Turkey” and also the changes in collenchyma was present only at the corners of stem. the climatical conditions for years may be responsible Cortex, formed by parenchymatous, circular and oval for some differences in our numerical data. On the cells was 12-19 layered at the edges and 5-11 layered other hand, morphological measurements of the anther, at the corners. Cortex cells near epidermis was smaller filament and pistil of the examined species have been than those near vascular bundles. Sclerenchyma groups firstly reported in this study. Salvia is separated from were present on the vascular bundles. Phloem was other members of the family on the basis of its unusual located under sclerenchyma. 1-2 layered cambium not staminal structure. Staminal morphology is the major very clear was located between phloem and xylem. defining character of the genus, which is often Xylem part was larger than phloem part. Vascular associated with an unusual pollination syndrome in bundles at the corners were larger than those at the which the pollinator pushes against the posterior anther edges. A parenchymatous large pith was present at the thecae while accessing a nectar reward at the base of center of stem. Pith rays were 1-13 rowed (Fig. 3 A-B, the corolla tube, causing the anterior thecae to deposite Table II). pollen on the pollinator via a lever-like mechanism[24]. Stamens of S. argentea are recognised as type B. Leaf: Epidermis, formed by oval, squarish or nearly Staminal connectives are clearly longer than filaments. rectangular cells was single layered on the adaxial and The lower theca is reduced to a variously shaped abaxial surface. Leaf was bifacial consisting of a 1-3 sterile tissue that is usually dolabriform plate[15]. layered palisade parenchyma and a scattered spongy According to our observations, the corolla and stamen parenchyma. Diacytic stomata were present on both structure of S. argentea are well models explaining this adaxial and abaxial epidermis. Angular collenchyma mechanism, because its upper lip of corolla, that is surrounds the median vein. In the superficial sections, strongly falcate, facilitates the enter of insect to the 726 Res. J. Agric. & Biol. Sci., 4(6): 725-733,