Systematic consideration of microcharacters of fruits and seeds in the genus Verbascum (Scrophulariaceae)

A morphological and anatomical study of fruits and seeds of ten species of Verbascum from south-west Spain has been made. The seeds showed considerable uniformity in shape, size, seed-coat ornamentation and internal structure. Two groups of species are distinguished on the basis of indumentum of the capsules. The first group has branched hairs which do not appear in the second. Only one species, V. virgatum may be included in both groups. Other characters such as corolla size or stamen number, support separation of both groups and reaffirm the intermediate position V. virgatum. A key to distinguish the taxa is provided. (C) 1997 Annals of Botany Company.