The analysis of some biological data on Stachys kurdica (Lamiaceae) in Turkey.

Stachys kurdica, well adapted to live in sloping limestone crevices and steep screes, is distributed across particular routes in Southeast Turkey and North Iraq and also extends to Iran. This species belongs to the section Fragilicaulis and contains the following infraspecific taxa; var. kurdica and var. brevidens. These taxa share partly the same habitats and are distinguished by the calyx characters. Micromorphological studies of trichomes on the epidermal surface and nutlet surface by Tabletop Scanning Electron Microscopy and Light Microscopy have revealed non-glandular and glandular trichomes on the taxa. The nutlets were coloured from light to dark-brown, usually obovate, ventral sides flat, rooflike with rib, apex rounded, faintly granulate, wrinkly, glabrous and reticulate. Karyotypes of the taxa have been introduced for the first time to the scientific community and were obtained by the Image Analysis System. The karyotype analysis showed the taxa as diploid, with chromosome numbers of 2n = 34. In addition to these morphological characters, chromosomal and micromorphological differences further serve to distinguish the taxa. Therefore, this paper is the first study discussing together the morphological, micromorphological and karyotype structures of S. kurdica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]