The exploitation of micromorphological parameters for identification in the section / Mentha Využitie mikromorfologických parametrov pri identifikácii v sekcii Mentha

The identification of species in the genus Mentha is especially difficult because of the ease of hybridization, favoured by gynodioecy, which is further complicated by polymorphism, cultivation, polyploidy and vegetative propagation. This all explains the genicpopulation and microevolutionary background for variability of mints. In this work we studied the usage of micromorphological and phytochemical parameters in identification and characterization of selected Mentha species. On abaxial surface of leaves of 20 Mentha populations we determined the size and the number of peltate glandular trichomes. The essential oil was analysed by GC MS. We identified and characterized populations of M. × piperita, M. spicata, M. spicata subsp. condensata, M. spicata var. crispa, M. spicata var. citrata, M. × gentilis, M. aquatic, M. arvensis amd M. longifolia. The size and the number of peltate glandular trichomes contribute to characterisation of some Mentha species (especially in M. longifolia and M. × piperita).