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POLLEN MORPHOLOGY OF FAMILY SOLANACEAE FROM PAKISTAN

ANJUM PERVEEN AND M. QAISER

Abstract: Pollen morphology of 20 species representing 7 genera viz., Datura, Lycium, Hyoscymus, Nicotiana, Physalis, Solanum and Withania of the family Solanaceae from Pakistan has been examined by light and scanning electron microscope. Solanaceae is a eurypalynous family. Pollen grains usually radially symmetrical, isopolar, prolate-spheroidal to oblate-spheroidal or sub-oblate to sub-prolate, tricolporate, colpi generally with costae, colpal membrane psilate to sparsely or densely granulated, ora la-longate, sexine as thick as nexine, or slightly thicker or thinner than nexine. Tectal surface commonly scabrate to verrucate or striate to reticulate rarely rugulate-fossulate. On the basis of exine pattern 6 distinct pollen types are recognized viz., Datura fastuosa-type, Lycium dasytemum-type, Nicotiana plumbaginifolia-type, Physalis divaricata-type, Solanum nigrum-type and Withania somnifera-type. Pollen morphology of the family is significantly helpful at the generic and specific level.

Department of Botany, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan.