Macro-and micromorphological variations of Ludwigia stolonifera (Guill. & Perr.) PH Raven in Egypt and its taxonomic assessment

摘要: Ludwigia stolonifera (Guill. & Perr.) PH Raven (Onagraceae) is one of the dominant aquatic macrophyte in Egypt. The present study claimed that this species is widespread in fresh water, brackish, salt affected wetlands and lakes. Samples of thirty two populations of L. stolonifera were studied and morphologically grouped into seven morphotypes based on macro-and micromorphological characters. Notable vegetative and floral characters were noticed as the presence of female and hermaphrodite flowers. Their pollen grains (using SEM) were spheroidal, tricolporate with rugulate exine sculpturing. Infraspecific variation in pollen was detected among the studied morphotypes which confirm the presence of phenotypic plasticity in Ludwigia stolonifera.