Pollen morphology in Cytisus(Papilionoideae, Leguminosae) from Morocco and the Iberian Peninsula.

Although it is generally accepted that the tribe Genisteae has rather homogeneous pollen, we have found considerable variation in pollen size and morphology in Cytisusand related genera (Argyrocytisusand Chamaecytisus), which match taxonomic groups defined on morphological grounds. The results of Principal Component Analysis of pollen characteristics show the following: CytisusSect. Alburnoidesis well-delimited, with the smallest pollen grains and the simplest pattern in the tectum, fossulate-perforate to perforate; No separation of C. villosus(Sect. Cytisus) from Sect. Alburnoidesis observed; CytisusSect. Spartopsis, with the largest pollen grains and reticulate to reticulate-fossulate ornamentation, forms an isolated group; C. fontanesii(Sect. Heterocytisus) stands apart from other Cytisusspecies by its homogeneous ornamentation and the perforate instead of psilate-punctate margo. Thus, the pollen data supports its transfer to the separated genus Chronanthos; Pollen ornamentation and morphology also support the separation of Argyrocytisus battandieriand Chamaecytisus mollisfrom Cytisus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]