Leaf and petiole anatomical characters of the genus Alchemilla (Rosaceae) in Iran and their use in Numerical analysis

The current study deals with leaf and petiole anatomical survey of 24 species of the genus Alchemilla from Iran. After collecting and identifying the specimens, leaf and petiole cross sections were prepared by hand and best sections were taken for staining and light microscope studies. In this survey, 43 anatomical traits were carefully examined. The result showed that glandular trichome, number and arrangement of adjacent epidermal cells and their wavy or smooth walls, presence and absence of the extraxylary fibers are the most outstanding anatomical evidences. In order to determine the species relationship, 39 quantitative characters were undertaken in principal component analysis (PCA). PCA analysis led to complete separation of some species including A. persica, A. caucasica, A. hessii, A. pseudocartalinica, A. rechingeri, A. melancholica, A. hyrcana, A. microscopica and A. erythropoda, formation of 3 main groups and two subgroups. Our findings revealed that leaf and petiole anatomical characters are limited taxonomic value. The numerical analysis of these traits has disability in revealing the species relationship.