Using multiple microscopic techniques for the comparative systematic of Spergula fallax and Spergula arvensis (Caryophyllaceae)

In the present study, comparative morphology, foliar anatomy and palynology of Spergula fallax and Spergula arvensis (Caryophyllaceae) were studied using multiple microscopic techniques. Genus Spergula includes worldwide five species, while in Flora of Pakistan the genus has two species. In this research the comparative morphological, anatomical and palynological characters of the two Pakistani Spergula species were studied. We examined some distinguishing morphological features, in both species, such as plant size, habitat, leaf morphological characters, inflorescences, flowers outer whorls, sepals and petals and flowers number. These characters species were studied analyzing their comparative systematic significant. The foliar anatomical features also provided distinctive characters as the epidermal cell shape, the wall of the epidermal cell, lobes per cell. The differences in quantitative characters were also examined. The palynological characters showed difference in echini arrangement, echini density and numbers of pore. Quantitative characters were variations in size of polar, equatorial, exine thickness, pore length and width and P/E ratio. The multiple microscopic techniques provided sufficient evidence about the systematics of the genus Spergula. Based on morphological, anatomical and palynological characters, analytical keys were developed for the identification and distinction of the species S. fallax and S. arvensis.