Morphological, Anatomical and Ecological Features of Ajuga salicifolia (L.) Schreber (Lamiaceae) with Natural Spreading.

The aim of this study was to determine the morphological, anatomical and ecological characteristics of Ajuga salicifolia (L.) Schreber plant belonging to Lamiaceae family. The plant was collected between April and June 2019 from the open fields of Bağbaşı location in Kırşehir province. The collected samples were placed in 70% alcohol and fixed. Transverse sections were taken from the root, stem and leaf of the plant for anatomical research. In addition, superficial sections were taken from both the lower and upper parts of the leaf. According to the morphological examination, the stem of the plant is upright and occasionally accumbent. The stem is red from the basal to the middle and has hispid hairs on it. Leaves are usually oblong-lanceolate. The corolla is yellow and 1-2 very prominent red spots are seen at the far end. In the root cross section of the plant, the periderm is 1-2 layers, rectangular. Phloem is 7- 8 rows and xylem are evident. Pith region is observed in the root. According to the stem cross section, the epidermis cells are circular and square shaped and covered with capitate glandular hairs and 1-3 cell eglandular hairs. The vascular bundles are in a continuous ring. Sclerenchyma also continues around the vascular bundles. Collenchyma cells are seen in the corners of the stem. The leaf of the A. salicifolia plant is bifacial. Stomata are anomocytic. The soils in which it grows of A. salicifolia are clayey, slightly alkaline, salt-free, poor in phosphorus, and rich in potassium and organic matter. As a result, the examination of the species in terms of morphology and anatomical aspects provides important benefits in the systematic of plants. For this reason, it is expected that our study will benefit the studies to be carried out on the Ajuga genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]