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The research was performed to investigate pollen morphology of endangered species of Capparidaceae in subtropical regions of Pakistan. The distinguishing characters were investigated by using light microscope and scanning electron microscope. Palynological study is comprised of pollen shape, pollen type, exine sculpturing, polar and equatorial diameter, length and width of colpi, mesocolpium, and exine thickness. In polar view, Cleome viscosa exhibited the highest pollen size 26.4 (32.7–24.5 μm) ±0.776 whereas Capparis spinosa appeared to be the lowest 12.6 (14.5−10.7 μm) ±0.400. In equatorial view, Cleome viscosa had the largest pollen size 17.1 (20.0–15.0 μm) ±0.606 and Capparis spinosa had the smallest pollen size 9.7 (12.50–8.00 μm) ±0.394. The maximum fertility percentage has been observed in Capparis spinosa, that is, 98.96% and minimum in Cleome viscosa, that is, 82.93%. Diagnostic key has been constructed to state the essential diagnostic features by means of which the taxa can be identified. Remarkable variations have been observed in pollen size, shape, and exine sculpturing. All the selected species were tricolporate. Prolate to subprolate pollen were observed. There is a great variation existed in exine sculpturing such as in Capparis decidua and C. sp. nova sculpturing is reticulate, in Capparis himalayensis sculpturing is Scabrate granulate, in Capparis spinosa sculpturing is Psilate, in Cleome viscosa sculpturing is regulate‐reticulate, in Dipterygium glaucum sculpturing is regulate and in Gynandropsis gynandra sculpturing is striate‐regulate. On the basis of overall characteristics of pollen it seems that palynology of this family is helpful at the generic and specific level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To better understand systematic characters of Aconogonon (Polygonaceae), we studied pollen morphology in three (A. alpinum, A. rumicifolium and A. tortuosum) of five species distributed in Pakistan using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Results showed that Aconogonon is characterized by tricolpate pollen with microspinulose type of exine ornamentation. One distinctive pollen type was recognized on the basis of aperture number and sculpturing of exine under SEM. Based on analyses in the present study, diagnostic keys to the three species were provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pollen morphology with special reference to exine sculpturing of four species of the genus Pedicularis L. has been examined by light and scanning electron microscope. Comparative pollen analysis was made based on the type of pollen, shape in polar and equatorial views, P/E ratio, exine thickness and sculpturing of pollen. In this study, two types of pollen aperture configuration known in the genus were observed i.e., trisyncolpate and bi-syncolpate. Pollen grains with microscabrate ornamentation were found in bi-syncolpate pollen for the first time. Pollen fertility estimation ranged from 87- 95%, which shows that pollen flora of selected species is well established in Alpine zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morphology, leaf anatomical features and pollen grain characteristics of the genus Hieracium (Asteraceae: Lactuceae) have been investigated and illustrated for the first time in Pakistan. Hieracium L. and Pilosella Hill, are recognized as separate genera. All Hieracium species are perennial rhizomatous herbs. In this study five species, i.e. Hieracium bichlorophyllum, H. diaphanoides, H. umbellatum, H. virosum, and H. vulgatum are described for Pakistan. The stem surface is glabrous in H. diaphanoides and H. umbellatum, while sparse echinulate and stellate hairs are also present in H. umbellatum. Hieracium bichlorophyllum has scabrous hairs, while stellate hairs are present in H. vulgatum. Basal leaves are sessile in all species but subsessile in H. vulgatum. Leaves are bifacial and stomata cells are staurocytic and amphianisocytic. The pollen type of the investigated species is trizonocolporate and tetrazonocolporate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]