پيتوفروه هويه ياه لگنج رد رادون یناکريه ياه Morphotypes of Tilia spp. fruits in Hyrcanian forests

Variations in fruits morphology of Tilia spp. were studied along longitudinal and altitudinal range. Ten populations of Tilia spp. from Golestan, Mazandaran and Gilan Provinces (N. Iran) were selected. After biometrical measurements and Scanning Electron Microscopic (SEM), Cluster Analysis divided the population into seven groups. Discriminat Analysis showed that among all traits studied, size of rib, thickness, density of down and fruits colour traits have outstanding role in separation of groups. In first and second groups, fruits have smooth surface and tiny shell, but group two due to globose fruit without visible rib is different from group one. Surface dense tomentose with light brown colour is differentiating characters of third group. Prominent ribs are related to groups four and five but density of down surface in fifth group is much greater than the forth group. Distinguishable character of the sixth group is woody shell velutinous with less prominent ribs. Only one tree form Dalir population (Valley of Chalous) due to its completely different form (cup form) made seventh group. From view point of SEM, third group with having simple trichome differed with first, second, forth, sixth and seventh groups that have stellate trichome. Trees in the fifth group are varied in this trait, some trees have stellate trichome and some others have simple trichome. In conclusion, this research reports two new forms of the genus Tilia in the north of Iran and it can be stated that the presence of other species from this genus in the north of Iran is possible.