A Study on the Winged Accrescent Sepals of the Chenopodiaceae

Author(s): Gamal E.B. El Ghazali

The aim of the present study is to examine winged accrescent sepals in the Chenopodiaceae and determine diagnostic characteristics that lead to their discrimination and possibly of taxonomic significance. Nine species belonging to six genera of the family Chenopodiaceae (Subfamily Salsoloideae, Tribe Salsoleae) were dissected, examined, photographed and line illustrated. Seven qualitative and two quantitative characters were investigated. These characters include orientation, symmetry, position with respect to sepals, shape, plane, colour, indumentums, length and width of wings. The present study showed that these wings share several common features, but the diagnostically distinct characteristics of Anabasis setifera, Salsola cyclophylla and S. imbricata were noticed. These distinct wing features were supported by molecular data which suggested their transfer to different genera. These wing characteristics provided further insights into their possible use to reassess the taxonomy of the Chenopodiaceae.

Anabasis setifera, Salsola cyclophylla, S. imbricata, Caroxylon

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