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Scanning microscopic imaging has become a valuable research tool in micromorphology with improved techniques playing an important role in analysing the ultrastructure of leaf specimens. The foliar epidermal anatomy of 25 selected poisonous plants with special emphasis on stomata and trichomes was reported using microscopic techniques, for instance, light micrographs (LMs) and scanning micrographs (SEMs). This study aimed to investigate micromorphologies of studied species that are helpful for the identification of poisonous plants. Plants were collected, pressed, dried, identified and then analysed for microscopic study. For making microscopic slides, 1 or 2 leaves were taken in a test tube and dipped in 30% nitric acid and 70% lactic acid for few minutes, and then placed on petri plates for separating the epidermis. Numerous quantitative and qualitative foliar anatomical features of adaxial and abaxial surfaces, including epidermal cell shapes, stomata size, subsidiary cell size, the pattern of the anticlinal wall, the morphology of the stomatal complex and trichome diversity, were examined. A small number of the considered species had anomocytic and anisocytic stomata; a few species had paracytic stomata, for instance, Ricinus communis, Euphorbia royleana, Buxus pilosula and Sorghum halepense; and only Ipomoea carnea had cyclocytic stomata in the studied taxa. The epidermal cells of the analysed species were irregular, while some exhibited polygonal, wavy, tetragonal and elongated cell morphologies. Overall, this study emphasises the significance of foliar micromorphology analysis as a valuable resource for identifying potentially poisonous plants and demonstrates its contribution to maintaining public welfare, thereby benefitting public health and safety.

This study aimed to examine the pollen and pollinia morpho-structure of 18 horticultural Apocynaceous species. Advanced light and scanning electron microscopy (LM and SEM) were used to elaborate on and examine the systematic importance of pollen and pollinia micromorphology. Pollen grains were first acetolysed, which was followed by visualisation of their sculpturing features. The quantified data were subjected to statistical tools to elucidate dendrogram clustering and principal component analysis to reveal pollen/pollinia morphotypes. The size of pollen is variable, ranging from 113.45 μm in Cascabela thevetia to 23.4 μm in Alstonia scholaris. The study revealed tetrad, tetraporate, and tricolporate grains. Sculpturing (exine ornamentation) varies from reticulate perforate to reticulate. Pollinum shape was observed to be narrow oblong, obovate, orbicular, and reniform. Reticulate-psilate sculptural features were prominent among pollinia surfaces. Based on examination, it was ascertained that the minimum exine thickness in Periploca aphylla was 4.9 μm, whereas the corresponding number in Cryptolepis dubia was 1.35 μm. Taxonomic identification keys were constructed separately based on pollen/pollinia characters to identify the Apocynaceous taxa. In the presented study, seven pollen shapes were observed: from oblate to per prolate. The findings confirm that morphopollinic traits differ amongst genera of Apocynaceous species. However, these features can be used to distinguish the Apocynaceous taxa. The results show that structural characteristics of pollen and pollinia can help accurately identify Apocynaceous species.

The guiding principles for raising beekeeping products in developing countries provide support for commercializing honey production in order to generate income for beekeepers through the exploration of melliferous flora. The main objective of this study was to conduct a preliminary investigation into the pollen morphology of selected melliferous species that are frequently visited by honeybees in the vicinity of apiaries in the district of Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In this study, an updated overview was provided by reviewing the literature regarding palynological investigation of melliferous flora. The morpho-palynological features, dominant plant families visited by honeybees, and life forms of melliferous species were also discussed. The Acetolysis method was used to prepare the microscopic slides of pollen, measure and describe the qualitative and quantitative features using LM and SEM. Results showed maximum pollen polar and equatorial diameter in M. azadirachta (37.9 [micro]m) and (40.9 [micro]m) respectively. The polar to equatorial diameter ratio (P/E) was observed to be the highest in M. domestica (1.14). Colpi length was calculated to be the highest in the P. granatum (13.8 [micro]m). The highest percentage of pollen fertility was calculated in V. tricolor (92.5%), whereas the lowest was in O. rosea (64.28%). Studied characters under LM and SEM have appeared as a useful tool for the delimitation of melliferous flora, which may lead to the correct identification of the potential and valuable bee floral resources for beekeepers. The outcomes of this study aid in the assessment of melliferous flora and help in providing conservation measures for the sustainable development of beekeeping and the honeybee flora of the region. Les principes directeurs pour l'elevage de produits apicoles dans les pays en developpement soutiennent la commercialisation de la production de miel afm de generer des revenus pour les apiculteurs grace a l'exploration de la flore melifere. L'objectif principal de cette etude etait de mener une enquete preliminaire sur la morphologie pollinique de certaines especes meliferes frequemment visitees par les abeilles domestiques a proximite des ruchers dans le district de Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Dans cette etude, une vue d'ensemble mise a jour a ete fournie en passant en revue la litterature concemant la recherche palynologique de la flore melliferous. Les dispositifs morpho-palynologiques, les families dominantes de plantes visitees par des abeilles domestiques, et les formes de vie des especes melliferous ont ete egalement discutes. La methode d'acetolyse a ete utilisee pour preparer les lames microscopiques de pollen, mesurer et decrire les caracteristiques qualitatives et quantitatives a l'aide de LM et de SEM. Les resultats ont montre le diametre polaire et equatorial maximum du pollen chez M. azadirachta (37,9 [micro]m) et (40,9 [micro]m) respectivement. Le rapport diametre polaire/diametre equatorial (P/E) a ete observe comme le plus eleve chez M. domestica (1,14). La longueur de Colpi a ete calculee comme etant la plus elevee dans le granatum punica (13,8 [micro]m). Le pourcentage le plus eleve de fertilite du pollen a ete calcule chez V. tricolor (92,5%), tandis que le plus faible a ete chez O. rosea (64,28%). Les caracteres etudies sous LM et SEM sont apparus comme un outil utile pour la delimitation de la flore melifere, ce qui peut conduire a l'identification correcte des ressources florales potentielles et precieuses des abeilles pour les apiculteurs. Les resultats de cette etude aident a 1'evaluation de la flore melifere et aident a foumir des mesures de conservation pour le developpement durable de l'apiculture et de la flore des abeilles melliferes de la region. Keywords Apiaries * Honeybee * Melliferous flora * Palynology * Scanning electron microscopy, Introduction Beekeeping is very popular in South Asia including Pakistan, since much part of the country has auspicious habitats for honey production. Congenial climatic conditions and bee plants in the [...]