How much we know about violets from Argentina?

SANSO, A. M., XIFREDA, C. C. & SEO, M. N.

Viena, Austria

Congreso; XVII International Botanical Congress.; 2005

Society for the Advancement of Plant Sciences- University of Vienna

The cosmopolitan Viola L. genus is represented in Argentina by near 50 species, mainly native ones and only four adventitious entities. Some species, "the yellow violets" from section Chilenium, are one of the most common components of the Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego rain-forests. Other taxa belonging to the very interesting section Andinium occur in argentine northwestern, at high altitude, mostly between 3000-4000 m above sea level. We know very little about these last species, most of them, endemic, confined to small geographical areas and difficult to be collected. In order to assess utility of different morphological, anatomical and cytological characters for the classification, we present preliminary data gathered from a screening study taking into account some representative species. We also provide data concerning species distribution. Selected characters as chromosome numbers and pollen morphology observed at SEM, are discussed. Leaf and seed anatomical features are highlighted, showing the results their potential value in taxonomic and evolutive studies.