Study of the morphological and anatomical characteristics of lactuca serriola plant spread Damascus suburb

Abstract

One of the most important genera of Asteraceae family is the genus Lactuca L., and the importance of this genus comes from the fact that some its species (such as the cultivated lettuce "Lactuca sativa") have nutritional and therapeutic benefits. Despite the widespread spread of Lactuca Serriola in Syria, it was not previously the subject of a local study or research. Therefore, this research aims to enrich the knowledge of the morphological and anatomical view of Lactuca Serriola. Lactuca serriola was collected from Al-Kiswah area in Damascus suburb, and the morphological characteristics of stems, leaves, flowers and fruits were studied. Thin cross-sections were also made in both the stem and the tender leaves, and their anatomical structure was studied after using the double staining method. The results of the morphological description were similar to the description of Lactuca serriola L. contained in the flora of Syria and Lebanon and flora of Palestine, with a more accurate determination of the dimensions of the fruits and leaves. The cross-section also showed the circular shape of the stem, and the presence of a band of two or more rows of scleranchymic tissue forming an outer cortical cylinder, and a central inner cylinder that begins with the vascular transporter bundles, in addition to the grouping of cells of collanchimic ring tissue between the bundles which explains the toughness and plasticity of the stem