MYOSOTIS ARVENSIS SUBSP. ARVENSIS (L.) HILL, 1764 (BORAGINALES, BORAGINACEAE): A NEW RECORD FOR THE FLORA OF IRAQ

Abstract

    Myosotis L., 1753 is one of the biggest genera in the family Boraginaceae, subfamily Cynoglossoideae, and tribe Myosotideae, numerous pollen grain features, including shape, color, size, sculpture and number have been examined for the species M. arvensis, along with a thorough sampling analysis of macro- and micro-morphology. Molecular investigation has been conducted to confirm M. arvensis subsp. arvensis taxonomic rank within Boraginaceae. In contrast to the within the same genus that are already grow in Iraq, the collected specimens of M. arvensis subsp. arvensis are differentiated by a saucer-shaped corolla limb reaching 3 mm in diameter, reaching 3 mm in diameter, and the lobes that are connivent in fruit with many patent hooked hairs. Pollens were small, yellow, monad, tricolporate, ellipsoid in equatorial view, and spheroid in polar view. The molecular study has firmly established the classification and evolutionary ancestry of this recently discovered subspecies by confirming its genetic link and location within the larger family framework. This study aims to prove and describe this subspecies for the first time for the flora of Iraq.