Microsculpture of Nutlets Surface of some Libyan Salvia L. species (Lamiaceae)

Abstract

A comprehensive morphological and micro‐morphological study of the nutlets of five Libyan Salvia species (Lamiaceae) was conducted to evaluate nutlets characteristics by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Differences in surface ornamentation, size, shape and color were observed between the species. The studied species were categorized in three basic types based on surface ornamentation: irregular prominences, regular prominences and smooth nutlets. The shape of nutlets were described as oblong, ovoid‐oblong to globose‐subglobose and their size range is 2–3.5 mm in length and 1.5–2.5 mm in width. Nutlet micromorphological characteristics such as surface ornamentation can be useful for classification and identification of Salvia species in Libya.