A TAXONOMIC STUDY OF CORYDALIS SUBGENERA AND SECTIONS IN IRAN USING ANATOMIC AND POLLEN CHARACTERISTICS

The stem anatomy and pollen morphology of Iranian members of the genus Corydalis (except C. seisumsiana in pollen morphology) were studied using light and SEM microscopy. The results verified the argument that the tuberous sections of Corydalis, including Radix-cava, Corydalisand Leonticoides could be classified in a single subgenus as a natural grouping. The study also revealed that the species brought under each of the above sections in systematic had strong communalities with each other in anatomical (number and type of vascular bundles and stem cells) and pollen (pollen size, exine ornamentation and perforations) characteristics.  This supported the existing section-wise classification of the Iranian members of the genus Corydalis as being a natural grouping. Accordingly, a pollen key is presented for Corydalis species of Iran.