Morphological and Anatomical study of Phlomis kurdica (Lamiaceae) in Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Phlomis is a significant genus in the Lamiaceae family. However, a comprehensive biosystematics evaluation of Phlomis kurdica has never been conducted. Therefore, the objectives of this study are to analyze the morphological, anatomical, trichome, and crystal characteristics of P. kurdica. The morphological characteristics were compared with the flora of Turkey and Iran. The anatomical findings were compared with the results of previous research on other Phlomis and Lamiaceae members. To study anatomy, cross sections of the plant's root, stem, and leaf parts were examined. P. kurdica is a perennial plant with ascending growth. Morphologically leaves are simple and vary in shape from oblong to oblong-ovate. The inflorescence resembles a verticillate cyme. The corolla is bilabiate and yellow, while the calyx is tubular with five subequal lobes. There are three main types of glandular trichomes: petalate, capitate, and dendroid, which coexist with glandular and non-glandular branches. Three kinds of non-glandular trichomes were also identified: dendroid with non-glandular branches, stellate, and simple. Anatomically, root have 1-3 rows of pith rays. The stem is quadrangular, with four collenchyma patches at the corners. The leaf was amphistomatic. The stomata were of the diacytic kind. The petiole had a circular form with vascular bundles of the crescent-shaped collateral kind in its center. Prismatic and styloid crystals were observed in cross-sectioned organs. Certain morphological and anatomical features provide significant information for taxonomy.