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Issue: Vol. 777 No. 1: 29 Sept. 2026
Type: Article
Published: 2026-09-29
DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.777.1.1
Page range: 1-18
Abstract views: 66
PDF downloaded: 6

Micromorphology of pollen grains, sepals, and fruits in the Capparis spinosa group (Capparaceae) from Iran and its systematic implications

Department of Biology; Faculty of Science; Yasouj University; Yasouj; 75918-74934; Iran
Department of Biology; Faculty of Science; Yasouj University; Yasouj; 75918-74934; Iran
Eudicots Capparis spinosa group characters scanning electron microscopy taxonomy wax types

Abstract

Capparis spinosa (caper bush) represents a taxonomically complex group comprising several closely related taxa. These taxa are significant for their agricultural, industrial, pharmacological, and ecological value. However, species delimitation within the group has been complicated by a high degree of variability in key morphological characters. As micromorphological characteristics often provide more reliable taxonomic information than external macromorphology, this study evaluates the discriminative value of pollen grain, sepal, and fruit surface micromorphology for identifying taxa within the C. spinosa group in Iran. Specimens from across different regions of Iran were examined using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The findings indicate that several micromorphological features are diagnostic among the studied taxa, including the shape and ornamentation of pollen grains, the type of epicuticular wax on the fruit surface, the presence or absence of hair on the sepal surface, the pattern of fruit surface sculpture, the distribution of epicuticular wax on the stomatal aperture, and stomatal ledge shape of the sepal. Furthermore, the results provide new taxonomic insights into the Iranian C. spinosa group. Finally, an identification key for the studied taxa, based on these micromorphological features, is presented.

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How to Cite

Ahmadi, M. & Shavvon, R.S. (2026) Micromorphology of pollen grains, sepals, and fruits in the Capparis spinosa group (Capparaceae) from Iran and its systematic implications. Phytotaxa 777 (1): 1–18. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.777.1.1