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Pollen features of all species of Petrocoptis were reviewed in order to check their value as taxonomic markers within the genus. This study shows that Petrocoptis is astenopalynous genus, with no differences in the exine surface pattern between taxa. Quantitative data (grain diameter, number of apertures, length and width of pores, and exine thickness) were subjected to several multivariate analyses. None of the mplaced the Petrocoptis samples into recognized taxonomic groups. The presence of aperforate tectum in all species of Petrocoptis is congruent with the current view that the genus is an old lineage within Silenoideae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]