Fruit features of 15 species of Sanicula(Apiaceae) and their taxonomic significance

Scanning electron microscopy and paraffin sections were used to observe the surface micromorphology of Sanicula plants from North America and East Asia (seven species distributed in the United States and eight species distributed in China). Combining previous research on the micromorphological characteristics of other groups from the Apiaceae family and molecular systematic evidence from recent years, the interspecies classification of the genus Sanicula was studied. Results showed the genus Sanicula to be a natural group, with the barb structure on the fruit surface beneficial for dispersal and distribution. Furthermore, the fruit micro-characteristics were useful for explaining the interspecific relationship of the genus. Based on the fruit micromorphological data, a key to the species within the genus Sanicula was compiled.