Patterns of the lemma micromorphology: a useful tool in taxonomy of the Middle Asian Eragrostis species (Poaceae)

We examined all taxa of the genus Eragrostis noted so far in Middle Asia, namely: Eragrostis amurensis, Eragrostis cilianensis, Eragrostis minor agg., Eragrostis pilosa and Eragrostis virescens. By means of scanning electron microscope, such structures as long cells, short cells ( cork and silica cells), prickles, microhairs and glands were scrutinized and compared among taxa. Additionally, several macromorphological characteristics were investigated. Principal component analysis and cluster analysis were conducted in order to reveal the morphological relationships and differences among species. Micromorphology of the lemma epidermis, together with selected macromorphological characteristics of spikelets, appear to be important for taxonomy of the Middle Asian lovegrasses.