The value of cypselar features in the classification Compositae has been employed since the work of Schultz Bipontinus (1844 a, b) [1,2]. The Anthemideae Cass is one of the premier tribe where the application of morphological and anatomical features of cypselas has been employed for characterization of taxa [3-10]. have been attracted and fascinated by the tribe Anthemideae and have incorporated the characters of cypsela either from morphological or from anatomical observation or both, using light microscope but most of them have not presented any key to the species and genera considering the differences in the morphology of the cypselas. The present paper deals with the detailed studies of cypselas in 2 species under 2 genera, belonging to the tribe Anthemideae, and preparation of a key on that basis for the identification.

Dried mature cypselas were procured. Dry cypselas from each species were boiled in water to which few drops of any one compounds, i.e., glycerol, tepol sodium-hypochlorite solution has been added, depending on the natures of pericarp. After that’s oftened cypselas were stored in FAA. For each species atleast two mature cypselas were critically studied and all sections were taken usually from middle part of cypselas. FAA preserved cypselas were cleaned in 5-10% KOH solution and stained in a solution of 0.5% aqueous safranin, for the proper identification of vascular bundles in the pericarp. For anatomical study, dry and FAA preserved cypselas were sectioned and were stained in safranin-fast green combination.

Specimens

1. Artemisia vulgaris L. KAL-1273.

2. Chrysanthemum coronarium L. KAL-104.

Cypselar anatomy

Artemisia vulgaris L.: Cypsela oval in transection cotyledon plano-convex. Pericarp very thin; consists of unequal rectangular to square thick-walled cells wall of which are dark reddish brown in colour; mucilage cells present throughout the pericarp surface (Endosperm uniseriate).

Chrysanthemum coronarium L.: Cypsela more or less circular in transection; cypsela bi-ribbed; cotyledon plano-convex in outline. Pericarp parenchymatous with resin dusts restricted only at the furrow regions of cypsela.

Testa is represented by uniseriate compactly arranged, rectangular thick–walled sclerotic cells; endosperm uniseriate, containing barrel shaped tangentially elongated cells; endosperm situated beneath the testa (Figures 1 and 2).

Figure 1: Artemisia vulgaris L.: (1a and 1b) Parts of Cypsela Transection.

Figure 2: Chrysanthemum coronarium L.: (2a) Transsection of cypsela (Diagrammatic); (2b) A part of Cypselar Transsection.

This tribe has been reviewed from the systematic point of view by Haywood and Humphries (1977). The authors have pointed out the following character of the cypsela as the tribal features:

“Cypselas variable; hetero- to homorphic, with 2-10 ribs or 1-3 wings, circular or angled, terets to strongly dorsiventrally to laterally compressed. Pappus are apical palalaceous coronal rim to cup shaped corona, auricle or apical annulus, occasionally absent, with or without pericarp modifications such as myxogenic mucilage cells, secretory canals and other lacunae”.

The systematic grouping of the genera of the tribe is complex and some systematic groupings are established in the tribe. Present study deals with only a few species of Artemisia, Chrysanthemum. The cypselar structure of the materials studied reveals that in Artemisia cypselas are heteromorphic (ray cypselas slightly larger than disc cypselas; no other differences observed), glabrous, very small, ellipsoidal with very fine longitudinal parallel striations; pappus with indistinct undifferentiated Carpopodium. Presence of mucilage cells on pericarp is a diagnostic character of Artemisia. In Artemisia vulgaris the columnar mucilage cells with bulbous tips are present throughout the cypselar surface.

In studied species of Chrysanthemum the cypselas are, ribbed and glabrous.

Presence of myxomatous slime cells or mucilage cells is common diacritical characters of these genera and the tribe Anthemideae. Absence of pappus is also a common feature of Artemisia.

Based on the above observations, it can be concluded that the members of the tribe Anthemideae are with diverse macro as well as micro morphological features of cypselas. These characters are a mixture of both primitive and advanced features. However, their value as taxonomic criteria will be greatly increased in combination with other lines of evidence.