© TÜBİTAK Contributions to the Pollen morphology of the family Compositae

Abstract: The pollen morphology of 24 species of Compositae belonging to 18 genera was examined by light and scanning microscopy. The present data confirms the eurypalynous nature of the family. Delimitation of the genera on the basis of pollen characters is less marked. Pollen grains usually radially symmetrical, isopolar rarely apolar; tricolporate, often porate. Shape commonly oblate-spheroidal to prolate-spheroidal, with some suboblate to subprolate types. Tectum echinate to echinolophate, often non-echinate. Tectum in-between the spines or spinules is sub-psilate, or perforated to striate. On the basis of the exine pattern, 4 distinct pollen types are recognized viz.