Biosystematic and molecular genetic study of Berberis (Berberidaceae) from North of Iran

There are 500 species of Berberis in the Berberidaceae family, which are native to temperate and subtropical regions of Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, and South America. The present study investigates molecular relationships and micromorphology of pollen and epidermis of the Berberis in North of Iran, since it is a very important medicinal plant. This study examined 15 individuals from the Chahar Bagh region of Golestan province belonging to four species and one interspecific hybrid. Leaf epidermis and pollen grains were studied using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. In order to analyze the sequences of the ITS nuclear genome, various software programs were used. In the studied species, irregular, rounded, and polygonal epidermal cells were observed, along with anticline, smooth, and wavy wall patterns. In all species, the pollen is spherical and the pollen ornamentation are smooth in B. integerrima, granular in B. vulgaris, microperforate in B. orthobotrys, and microechinate in B. crataegina. Phylogenetic analysis shows high support for monophyly of Berberis species in the nrDNA ITS tree (PP = 1, ML BS = 100, MP BS = 100). Molecular and micromorphological features were found to be able to separate the five species in Chahar Bagh region. These results provide researchers with basic information to explore this valuable genus based on the findings of this study.