Systematic study of the genus Salvia L. (Labiatae) in West Bank/Palestine

The status of the genus Salvia in West Bank/Palestine was investigated in a comprehensive biosystematic study taking into consideration various biosystematic evidences. This work was based on studying plant specimens, which were collected from their wild natural habitats as well as herbarium specimens deposited at ANNU herbarium, DoBS, ANNU. The morphological taxonomic characters of Salvia species have been studied. Moreover, synopsis of taxa, key for species, complete description, literature citation and geographical distribution were provided through this work. It was found that morphological characters should be associated with other evidences to achieve the exact identification of Salvia in West Bank /Palestine. Pollen morphological characteristic of Salvia species have been investigated by both light and scanning electron microscope. All information considering symmetry, polarity, shape, size, apertures and surface sculpturing were detected. All studied taxa of Salvia were found to have pollen grains varied from suboblate to oblate- spheroidal; size ranging from 27/30 µm to 45/55 µm (P/E); radial symmetry with hexazonocolpate aperture; isopolar or rarely heteropolar; sculpturing semitectate reticulate to reticulate-perforate with variable degree in reticulation and perforation. Similarities and variations of pollen characters cannot be used alone to separate taxa at the species level. Leaf anatomy has been investigated using transverse section of fresh leaves, which were studied and characterized in details using light microscopy. Differences in leaves anatomical characters have been recorded. Results showed that the studied species have bifacial leaves. They varied in mesophyll layers ranging from the largest; 200-230 µm thick of S. verbenaca to the smallest; 90-112.5 µm thick of S. viridis. Also, it was found that the mesophyll of all studied taxa composed of both palisade chlorenchyma and spongy chlorenchyma. In addition to that midrib vascular bundle size ranging from the largest; 122-644×161-763 µm thick of S. heirosoloymitana to the smallest; 74-61×51-58 µm thick of S. viridis. Moreover, the examined species have either glandular hairs of various types or eglandular hairs or both. Data obtained were found to be significant and contributed with other biosystematics evidences for the delimitation and characterization of Salvia species, recorded in West Bank / Palestine. In addition to that, petiole anatomy has been examined using transverse section of fresh petioles. Data gained showed that the anatomical characters of petiole can be used as a biosystematics tool to distinguish one species from another. Especially, the central vascular bundle which can be divided or not. Results showed that the central vascular bundle of the species S. viridis, S. verbenaca and S. hierosolymitana are divided into lobes while, the others species under study is not divided.