Leaf and scape anatomy of three allium L. (amaryllidaceae) species from sect. cupanioscordum

Abstract

Objective: The genus Allium L. is one of the largest monocot genera and naturally distributes in Turkey. Onion, garlic and other Allium species are among the important therapeutic agents in past and present treatment systems. They are widely used as antioxidant, anticancer, antithrombotic, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, antihypertensive, antigangrene, atherosclerotic, hypocolesterolemic, antimutagenic, antiasthmatic, antiatherogenic, immunomodulator and prebiotic all around the world due to their healing effects on many chronic diseases. Taxonomic elucidation of the genus is extremely important for bioactivity studies. In this study, we aimed to compare the leaf and scape anatomy of closely related species A. callidyction, A. peroninianum and A. hirtovaginatum belong to sect. Cupanioscordum. Material and Method: Scape and leave samples of living plants collected during the field trip were preserved in 70% alcohol for anatomical study. Cross-sections from scape and leaf samples were treated with sartur reagent and slides were prepared. Anatomical photographs of the preparation were taken at 4x, 10x or 40x magnifications by Leica CME. Result and Discussion: A. callidyction, A. peroninianum and A. hirtovaginatum species are anatomically differentiated from each other in terms of the number and shape of vascular bundles.