A morphological survey study of Cyclamen rohlfsianum Aschers plant in Al-Jabal Al Akhdar region - Libya.

Abstract

Cyclamen rohlfsianum is one of the most famous native plants in Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar region, is documented as a logo for Libyan Flora Encyclopedia, which has not received an updated study which has not been studied morphologically since 1977. So, this morphological survey carried to verify its presence in 27 locations in Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar regions and to give a detailed morphological description to years 2020-2021. The results of the field study showed the presence of Cyclamen rohlfsianum in all studied locations, the study was also able to record it for the first time at 24 new locations. The results of the morphological study showed are a perennial herbaceous plant, grows in early September and continues until April, with red globular juicy tubers, becomes irregular, cork-brown with age, a width of more than 30 cm. Leaves simple, reinform or semi-cardiac, covered on the upper surface with a silvery mottle, while the lower surface is mostly purple, bear on long glandular petioles, a flowers five-part, bisexual, monoecious, petals spirally reversed backward, dark purple at the base and pink at the tips, Its stamens emerge from a corolla clearly as a distinctive sign of this species, Anther is yellow triangular with 6 mm long, superior ovary with one locule contains more than 40 ovules, style is tubular, stigma is semi-globular, central placentation, fruits a brown capsule bear on a spiral neck, white oval seeds, covered with a sticky layer.