Glandular hairs of the ovary: a helpful character for Asteroideae (Asteraceae) taxonomy?

Surface microcharacters of the ovary of the Asteraceae were studied, especially biseriate glandular hairs. Of 34 species belonging to the Asteroideae, only Dittrichia viscosa, Pulicaria dysenterica, Bellis perennis, Tanacetum parthenium, Achillea maritima, Matricaria chamomilla, and Eupatorium cannabinum possess glandular hairs on the ovary. Additional characters considered are hair morphology and distribution, cell number, and presence of subcuticular chambers and chloroplasts. The usefulness of glandular hairs of the ovary for taxonomic purposes is discussed.