The leaf and stem anatomy of two endemic salvia (Section Salvia, Lamiaceae) from Turkey: S. aucheri subsp. canascens and S. heldrichiana

Salvia L. has a wide variety of traditional usages as digestive, appetizer, carminative, antiseptic, stimulant, pain reliever, antipyretic, diuretic, antitussive and for bronchitis, asthma and cold. Anatomical features are extremely important for the taxonomy of Salvia species, especially leaf and stem represent many specific characteristics. The aim of this study is to determine the distinctive anatomical structures of S. aucheri subsp. canascens (Boiss. & Heldr.) Celep, Kahraman & Doğan and S. heldreichiana Boiss. comparatively. The transverse-sections were taken from the leaf and stem to determine the anatomical features of two Salvia species. They differ in many anatomical characters like leaf type, which is bifacial and hypostomatic for S. aucheri subsp. canascens and monofacial and amphistomatic for S. heldreichiana. Besides, the leaf surfaces of both species are covered by different types of glandular trichomes. The midrib contains a big vascular bundle in S. aucheri subsp. canascens and has three big vascular bundles in S. heldreichiana. Additionally, the stem surface of S. aucheri subsp. canascens is glabrous while the stem is pilose in S. heldreichiana. In conclusion, our anatomical results were contributed to the taxonomy of S. aucheri subsp. canascens and S. heldreichiana and confirmed the importance of anatomy in the species level for the genus.