Physical properties of seeds from seven Moroccan Stachys species: Comparative morphology and seed-trait variation
Physical properties of seeds from seven Moroccan Stachys species: Comparative morphology and seed-trait variation
Lamiaceae, endemic species, morphology, Morocco
This study examines the physical properties of seeds from seven species of Stachys (S. arenaria, S. circinata, S. fontqueri, S. germanica, S. officinalis, S. saxicola, and S. mouretii) to assess their morphological diversity and potential applications. Measurements included seed dimensions, derived geometric parameters, density, porosity, moisture content, and thousand-seed mass. Results revealed significant variation across taxa. S. germanica had the largest seeds, the highest bulk density (601.77 kg m−3), a high true density (991.95 kg m−3), and the lowest porosity (38.78%), while S. officinalis showed the highest moisture content (13.81%) and a notably low aspect ratio (0.56). These findings provide quantitative seed-morphological data useful for species comparison, seed handling, and future integrative studies.
AFNOR 1991: NF V03-702. Céréales– Détermination de la masse de 1000 grains. – Paris.
Asoiro, F. U., Ezeoha, S. L., Ugwu, C. B. & Ezenne, G. I. 2017: Physical properties of unshelled, shelled and kernel of velvet tamarind (Dialium guineense) fruit from Nigeria. – Cogent Food Agric. 3: 1287618. ttps://doi.org/10.1080/23311932.2017.1287618
Asoiro, F. U., Ezeoha, S. L., Anyanwu, C. N. & Aneke, N. N. 2020: Physical properties of Irvingia gabonensis, Detarium microcapum, Mucuna pruriens and Brachystegia eurycoma seeds. – Heliyon 6: e04885. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04885
Asonye, G. U., Asoegwu, S. N. & Ohaeri, O. H. 2014: Effect of moisture content on some physical and frictional properties of African locust bean (Parkia biglobosa). – J. Agric. Eng. Technol. 22(4): 24-37.
Bahadori, M. B., Kirkan, B. & Sarikurkcu, C. 2019: Phenolic ingredients and therapeutic potential of Stachys cretica subsp. smyrnaea for the management of oxidative stress, Alzheimer’s disease, hyperglycemia, and melasma. – Ind. Crops Prod. 127: 82-87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2018.10.066
Bendiksby, M., Thorbek, L., Scheen, A.-C., Lindqvist, C. & Ryding, O. 2011: An updated phylogeny and classification of Lamiaceae subfamily Lamioideae. – Taxon 60(2): 471-484. https://doi.org/10.1002/tax.602015
Bhattacharjee, R. 1980: Taxonomic studies in Stachys: II. A new infrageneric classification of Stachys L. – Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 38: 65-96.
Bu, H.-Y., Zhang, Y.-M., Zhao, D., Wang, S.-Y., Jia, P., Qi, W., Liu, K., Xu, D.-H., Ge, W.-J. & Wang, X.-J. 2019: The evolutionary correlation associated with seed mass and altitude on nutrient allocation of seeds. – Seed Sci. Res. 29: 38-43. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0960258518000387
Cervantes, E. & Martín-Gómez, J. J. 2019: Seed shape description and quantification by comparison with geometric models. – Horticulturae 5: 60. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae5030060
Chen, D., Yuan, Z., Wei, Z. & Hu, X. 2022: Effect of maternal environment on seed germination and seed yield components of Thlaspi arvense. – Ind. Crops Prod. 181: 114790. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2022.114790
Conforti, F., Menichini, F., Formisano, C., Rigano, D., Senatore, F., Arnold, N. A. & Piozzi, F. 2009: Comparative chemical composition, free radical-scavenging and cytotoxic properties of essential oils of six Stachys species from different regions of the Mediterranean Area. – Food Chem. 116(4): 898-905. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2009.03.044
Coomes, D. A. & Grubb, P. J. 2003: Colonization, tolerance, competition and seed-size variation within functional groups. – Trends Ecol. Evol. 18: 283-291. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0169-5347(03)00072-7
Domina, G. & Colombo, P. 2005: Seed micromorphology and its variation in Sicilian Orobanche (Magnoliopsida). – Fl. Medit. 15: 99-107.
Dušek, K., Dušková, E. & Smékalová, K. 2010: Betonica officinalis L. in the Czech Republic. I. Variability of morphological characteristics. – Herba Pol. 56(2): 7-20.
Ellis, R. H., Hong, T. D. & Roberts, E. H. 1991: Seed moisture content, storage, viability and vigour. – Seed Sci. Res. 1: 275-279. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0960258500001008
Erkul, S. K., Celep, F. & Aytaç, Z. 2015: Seed morphology and its systematic implications for genus Oxytropis DC. (Fabaceae). – Pl. Biosyst. 149: 875-883. https://doi.org/10.1080/11263504.2014.969353
Fenner, M. & Thompson, K. 2006: The ecology of seeds. – Cambridge.
Fennane, M., Ibn Tattou, M., Ouyahya, A. & El Oualidi, J. (eds) 2007: Flore pratique du Maroc, manuel de détermination des plantes vasculaires, 2. – Trav. Inst. Sci., Sér. Bot. 38: 1-636.
Goren, A. C., Piozzi, F., Akcicek, E., Kılıç, T., Çarıkçı, S. & al. 2011: Essential oil composition of twenty-two Stachys species (mountain tea) and their biological activities. – Phytochem. Lett. 4: 448-453. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytol.2011.04.013
Guarrigues, O. 1979: Contribution à l’étude morphologique du genre Stachys L. au Maroc. –Rabat.
Hacıseferoğulları, H., Gezer, İ., Özcan, M. M. & MuratAsma, B. 2007: Post-harvest chemical and physical-mechanical properties of some apricot varieties cultivated in Turkey. – J. Food Eng. 79: 364-373. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2006.02.003
ISTA 2025: International Rules for Seed Testing 2025. Introduction to the ISTA Rules, Chapters 1-19. – Wallisellen. https://doi.org/10.15258/istarules.2025.F
Ixtaina, V. Y., Nolasco, S. M. & Tomás, M. C. 2008: Physical properties of chia (Salvia hispanica L.) seeds. – Ind. Crops Prod. 28: 286-293. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2008.03.009
Jassbi, A. R., Miri, R., Asadollahi, M., Javanmardi, N. & Firuzi, O. 2014: Cytotoxic, antioxidant and antimicrobial effects of nine species of woundwort (Stachys) plants. – Pharm. Biol. 52(1): 62-67. https://doi.org/10.3109/13880209.2013.810650
Koura, K., Ouidoh, P., Azokpota, P., Ganglo, J. & Hounhouigan, D. 2014: Caractérisation physique et composition chimique des graines de Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) R. Br. en usage au Nord-Bénin. – J. Appl. Biosci. 75: 6239-6249. https://doi.org/10.4314/jab.v75i1.4
Leishman, M. R., Wright, I. J., Moles, A. T. & Westoby, M. 2000: The evolutionary ecology of seed size. – Pp. 31-57 in: Fenner, M. (ed.), Seeds: The ecology of regeneration in plant communities. – Wallingford. https://doi.org/10.1079/9780851994321.0031
Maleki, N., Garjani, A., Nazemiyeh, H., Nilfouroushan, N., Eftekhar Sadat, A. T., Allameh, Z. & Hasannia, N. 2001: Potent anti-inflammatory activities of hydroalcoholic extract from aerial parts of Stachys inflata on rats. – J. Ethnopharmacol. 75(2-3): 213-218. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-8741(01)00194-5
Mohsenin, N. N. 1970: Physical properties of plant and animal materials. –New York.
Özarslan, C. 2002: Physical properties of cotton seed. – Biosyst. Eng. 83(2): 169-174. https://doi.org/10.1006/bioe.2002.0105
Panetta, F. D. 1985: Population studies on Pennyroyal Mint (Mentha pulegium L.). I. Germination and seedling establishment. – Weed Res. 25: 301-309. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3180.1985.tb00648.x
Piozzi, F. & Bruno, M. 2011: Diterpenoids from roots and aerial parts of the genus Stachys. – Rec. Nat. Prod. 5(1): 1-11.
POWO [Plants of the World Online] 2025: Stachys L. – Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. https://powo.science.kew.org/ [accessed 01 January 2026]
Salmaki, Y., Zarre, S., Ryding, O., Lindqvist, C., Bräuchler, C. & al. 2013: Molecular phylogeny of tribe Stachydeae (Lamiaceae subfamily Lamioideae). – Mol. Phylogenet. Evol. 69: 535-551. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2013.07.024
Scheen, A.-C., Bendiksby, M., Ryding, O., Mathiesen, C., Albert, V. A. & Lindqvist, C. 2010: Molecular phylogenetics, character evolution, and suprageneric classification of Lamioideae (Lamiaceae). – Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 97(2): 191-217. https://doi.org/10.3417/2007174
Schmid, R., Kubitzki, K. & Kadereit, J. W. 2005: The families and genera of vascular plants. – Taxon 54: 574. https://doi.org/10.2307/25065407
Shaban, M., Ghahsareh Ardestani, E., Ebrahimi, A. & Borhani, M. 2023: Climate change impacts on optimal habitat of Stachys inflata medicinal plant in central Iran. – Sci. Rep. 13: 6385. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-33660-8
Sonkoly, J., Deák, B., Valkó, O., Molnár V., A., Tóthmérész, B. & Török, P. 2017: Do large-seeded herbs have a small range size? The seed mass-distribution range trade-off hypothesis. – Ecol. Evol. 7: 11204-11212. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.3568
Tomou, E.-M., Barda, C. & Skaltsa, H. 2020: Genus Stachys: A review of traditional uses, phytochemistry and bioactivity. – Medicines 7: 63. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicines7100063
Tundis, R., Peruzzi, L. & Menichini, F. 2014: Phytochemical and biological studies of Stachys species in relation to chemotaxonomy: A review. – Phytochemistry 102: 7-39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytochem.2014.01.023
Zarre, S., Darzi, R., Maasoumi, A. A. & Shahrokh, K.-O. 2024: Seed morphology of Astragalus (Fabaceae, Astragaleae) and its systematic implication: an effort towards a standard terminology. – Authorea: 1-26. https://doi.org/10.22541/au.171033028.89871498/v1
Zhao, X., Liu, Y., Li, J., Zhang, H., Jia, L., Hou, Q. & Sun, K. 2023: Numerical analyses of seed morphology and its taxonomic significance in the genus Oxytropis DC. (Fabaceae) from northwestern China. – PhytoKeys 222: 49-67. https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.222.96990