The pollen grains of flowering plants in selected sites in Batangas and Davao

A survey of the external structure of pollen grains of flowering plants in selected areas in Kapatagan, Digos, Davao del Sur (Site A) and Lumil, San Jose, Batangas (Site B) was conducted. Plants samples were collected along a 150m transect line including the 20m area to the right and to the left of the transect line. The area was divided into 10m interval and 5m interval, in site A and in site B, respectively. The pollen grains were isolated from the plant samples collected and the acetolysis method was used to intensify the surface characteristics of pollen grains. Results showed that Poaceae, Asteraceae, Amaranthaceae, Solanaceae and Mimosaceae were the most abundant taxa recorded from the botanical survey. The pollen grains were characterized in terms of shape, size, exine surface, and type and number of apertures. The size ranged from small (10-25u) to medim (25-50u) and to large (50-100u) grains. The shape varied from ovate to oblongate to spheroidal and to ellipsoidal. The exine surface was either reticulate, echinate, psilate or coarse. Absence and presence of conical spines were also noted. The types of apertures were pori and colpate and their numbers varied from one pollen grain to another. Variability in pollen structure was noted among species of the same family and genus. Hence, at the family and genus level, the external structure of pollen grains can not be used as taxonomic tool. However, pollen grains of the same species had similar morphology and thus, can still be used in the identification of species. Based on literature review, all families except Solanaceae were known to produce pollens that are potential allergens