Seed variability of Sisymbrium polymorphum (Murray) Roth (Brassicaceae) across the Central Palaearctic

Abstract

This study presents the results of investigation of the micromorphology and variability of Sisymbrium polymorphum seeds collected in 49 localities in the core range and isolated populations of Central Europe, Eastern Europe and Central Asia. In addition, we compared the ultrastructure of the seeds of S. polymorphum with that of the closely-related species S. loeselii and S. linifolium. The seeds were measured with a stereoscopic microscope and a biometric programme (ImageJ) and micromorphological studies were performed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The seed variability showed intraspecific stability of the ultrastructure and low variability of metric features within the studied range. Studied species showed differences in the ultrastructure, which will be valuable for diagnostic purposes. We present and describe, for the first time, the ultrastructure of S. polymorphum seeds.