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Abstract

Abstract The flora of Azerbaijan is exceptionally rich in species diversity; however, many local plants remain insufficiently studied from phytochemical and pharmacological perspectives. Among these, the genus Epilobium represents one of the most compositionally diverse taxa, yet several species distributed within Azerbaijan’s flora have not been morphologically or anatomically characterized. The present study was conducted to investigate the diagnostic morphological and anatomical features of Epilobium dodonaei Vill., a species widespread in the flora of Azerbaijan. Plant material was collected during the flowering stage in August 2021 from the Saribaş village of the Gakh region and analyzed using light and electron microscopy. The results revealed that E. dodonaei possesses dorsoventral leaves without stomata on the upper epidermis, while anomocytic-type stomata are present on the lower epidermis. Spongy parenchyma tissue was observed beneath the vascular bundles, and starch grains were detected in the parenchymatous cells of the stem. The flower stalk and calyx base were densely covered with trichomes, whereas the inner surface of the calyx was hairless and lilac in color. These diagnostic characteristics are consistent with other Epilobium species and provide valuable criteria for taxonomic identification and pharmacognostic standardization. The findings contribute to establishing a detailed morphological and anatomical profile of E. dodonaei within the flora of Azerbaijan, supporting its potential inclusion in a future pharmacopoeial monograph as a medicinally significant plant.

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