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

Abstract

This paper aims to examine morphological and micro‐morphological characteristics ofnutlets of five Libyan Salvia species (Lamiaceae) and evaluate nutlets characteristics byusing 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.  Nutletmicromorphological characteristics such as surface ornamentation can be useful for classification and identification of  Salvia species in Libya.