Anatomical structure of cladodes of Ruscus L. taxa (Liliaceae) in Turkey
 Ayşegül GÜVENÇ*^,°, Maksut COŞKUN*, Okan ARIHAN**
 * Ankara University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Ankara, Turkey
 ** Yüzüncü Yıl University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Biology, Zeve Campus-Van, Turkey
 ° Corresponding Author E-mail: aguvenc@ankara.edu.tr

Summary

The genus “Ruscus” of Liliaceae family is represented by four species (5 taxa) in Turkey; namely R. aculeatus L., R. hypoglossum L., R. colchicus P. F. Yeo, and R. hypophyllum L. Two varietes of R. aculeatus (R. aculeatus var. aculeatus and R. aculeatus var. angustifolius Boiss.) are also listed in the Flora of Turkey. Microscopical properties of transverse sections from the cladodes of each taxa were illustrated and photographed. In the cross section, it was not possible to differentiated upper and lower epiderma of cladodes. In the mesophyll of cladodes palisade and spongy parenchyma are not seen. There are a few layers of parenchyma cells beneath the upper epidermis and above the lower epidermis. Cross section of the midrib is clearly convex in the lower surface. Vascular bundles have been surrounded by sclerenchymatic bundles. The cladode is isobilateral and both epiderma are similar in appearance being composed of generally long cells with, straight or slightly sinuous walls. Numerous paracytic stomata are present on both surfaces.

Key Words :
Ruscus aculeatus, Ruscus hypoglossum, Ruscus colchicus, Ruscus hypophyllum, cladodes, anatomy, Liliaceae.