Morphology, anatomy and trichome properties of Lamium truncatum Boiss. (Lamiaceae) and their systematic implications

The anatomy, morphology and trichome distribution on the aerial parts of Lamium truncatum Boiss. were studied in order to understand the usefulness of these characteristics for systematic purposes. L. truncatum is a Mediterranean element which grows on shady hedge banks, glades, Quercus coccifera L. macchie and forest at an altitude of 300-1650 m in the eastern part of the Mediterranean region of Turkey, western Syria, Palaestina and Israel. Some anatomical characters such as the distances of vascular bundles between the corners in the stem, the number of palisade and spongy parenchyma layer of the leaf blade, and the petiole anatomy provide information of taxonomical significance. Three main types of trichomes (peltate, capitate glandular and nonglandular) were observed on the stem, inflorescence axis, leaf and calyx surfaces of L. truncatum. Glandular trichomes were present in abundance on the inflorescence axis, calyx, abaxial side of the leaf especially on veins, and apex of the filament, but non-glandular ones were mainly situated on the leaf and stem. Moreover, notes on morphology and nutlet features of the species are given.