Pollen morphology of five species of cactoideae subfamily (Fam: Cactaceae), from the Lima province (Perú)

The morphological characteristics of five species of pollen from the subfamily Cactoideae, family Cactaceae, were described: Three species, Echinopsis chalaensis (Rauh & Backeb.) Friedrich & G.D.Rowley, Haageocereus decumbens (Vaupel) Backeb. and Pygmaeocereus sp. Johnson & Backeb., (Trichocereeae tribe); Corryocactus brevistylus (K. Schum. ex Vaupel) Britton & Rose (Pachycereeae tribe) and Neoraimondia arequipensis (Meyen) Backeb., (Browningieae tribe). All pollen grains observed under a light microscope appeared in monades, shape varying from spheroidal to spheroidal oblate; all colpate, with the exception of C. brevistylus, with spinules < 1 ìm to 2 ìm; exine thickness varied 2 - 3 ìm; tectum without perceptible differences, always was pierced. An identification key is presented to differentiate species in this work