Taxonomical importance of micromorphological characteristics of the genus Ochradenus in Iran

In this research, a comprehensive comparison of the micromorphological characteristics of Ochradenus species was performed using Stereomicroscopy , Light Microscopy (LM), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to determine the taxonomic delimitation of the mentioned species. Seed micromorphology results showed three kinds of seed ornamentation (smooth, tuberculate, and colliculate), seed surface (smooth, warty, slightly warty), and two types of seed colors and surface (light brown and brown to reddish black; smooth and warty). Moreover, seed shape was reniform among the studied species. Pollen micromorphology results determined three kinds of shapes (prolate, subprolate, and prolate-spheroidal), two kinds of pollen size (small and medium), and exine sculpturing (reticulate and microreticulate.) At the stem and leaf surfaces, the situation of epidermal cells in Ochradenus ochradeni and Ochradenus baccatus was the highest diversity and the lowest, respectively. All micromorphological characteristics were analyzed to examine the similarities and dissimilarities among the studied species. Based on the micromorphological characteristics analysis results, three studied taxa strongly separated. An identification key using important micromorphological characteristics was provided.