PJB-2018-256
Morphological studies of the subgenus Seriphidium (Besser) Rouy of Artemisia L. in Balochistan (Pakistan)
Thomas Peer, Ulrike Gartner and Lal Badshah
Abstract
Based on 2,500 herbarium vouchers of the subgenus Seriphidium of Artemisia, which were collected from 21 sites across Central and NW-Balochistan, morphological studies and detailed drawings of stem leaves were performed with the aim to be able to identify the most common Artemisia species of Balochistan by a few vegetative characters. The following species were recognized: Artemisia quettensis (most common and endemic species in the area), A. turanica, A. oliveriana, A. sieberi, A. stenocephala, and A. santolina. Some presumed hybrid species had intermediate morphological characters, such as A. quettensis x A. oliveriana, A. quettensis x A. turanica, A. oliveriana x A. turanica, and A. oliveriana x A. sieberi. Key characters of the species, illustrations, and data on the distribution were provided. The frequent polyploidization and hybridization processes within this species complex were emphasized, and the effects on speciation and habitat preference were discussed. The present study also suggests a possible relationship between species distribution patterns, xeromorphism and climatic factors, varying from northeast to southwest Balochistan
To Cite this article:
Peer, T., U. Gartner and L. Badshah. 2020. Morphological studies of the subgenus Seriphidium (Besser) Rouy of Artemisia L. in Balochistan (Pakistan). Pak. J. Bot., 52(2): DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.30848/PJB2020-2(44)
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