Achene morphology of Turkish carthamus species

Abstract

The present paper represents the macro and micro-characters of the achenes of Carthamus (Asteraceae) species naturally growing in Turkey. A diagnostic identification key, descriptions and images of achenes were given. SEM investigation of seed coat sculpturing revealed 3 distinct types of surface structure: I: Striate, II: Irregularly striate and III: Finely striate. Our research shows that achene morphology is of great value for taxonomist and for plant breeders for identification of Turkish Carthamus species without the need of herbarium specimen.