HELIOTROPIUM CURASSAVICUM L., 1753 (BORAGINACEAE): A NEW RECORD FOR FLORA OF IRAQ

Abstract

Heliotropium curassavicumL., 1753 belongs to the Boraginaceae family, and it was recorded for the first time to the Flora of Iraq in Basrah Province, Iraq. Its morphological characteristics have been described with photos;as well as a taxonomical key has been suggested to separate it from otherspecies ofHeliotropiumthat growin Basrah Province. The geographical distribution of the species was determined,and the results showed that it wasgrown in five different locations along the southern parts of Shatt Al-Arab. Pollen morphology and anatomy of leaveswere studied by using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which showed that the species has psilate and hexa-heterocolpate pollen grains, and the leaves wereglabrous with anomocytic and hemiparacytic stomata.

Keywords

• basrah
• boraginaceae
• heliotropium curassavicum
• newrecord