Palynological Studies of Trees and Shrubs of Kaghan Valley (Mansehra) N.W.F.P. Pakistan

Present study deals with the pollen morphology of 195 trees and shrubs growing in Kaghan Valley. These plants cover 121 genera belonging to 66 families. Out of these 9 genera and 12 species belong to gymnosperms. Angiosperms include monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous families. Out of these 2 genera and 2 species are monocotyledonous while 110 genera and 181 species are dicotyledonous. Total number of trees investigated palynologically is 77, out of these 8 belong to gymnosperms and 69 are angiospermic. Total number of shrubs studied palynologically is 118, out of these 4 shrubs are gymnospermic, 2 monocotyledonous and 112 are dicotyledonous.<br>\ud The main objective of the present study is to analyse the flora of Kaghan Valley palynologically which can effectively be used as a taxonomic tool either at species or generic level. The study has resulted in development of basic pollen bank of plants growing in Kaghan Valley, including voluminous catalogue highlighting morphotaxonomic traits for the first time in Pakistan, that can readily be used by future workers. Based on these analytical results, priority issues are identified to develop basic and applied palynology in Pakistan. After observation, pollen morphological descriptions are given for all levels of taxa. Scientific and vernacular names, habit, distribution, flowering season, statistical size range, medicinal and economic value for all plant taxa have been provided.In addition microphotographs of pollen of Kaghan Valley are incorporated to show the diagnostic features and for convenience of identification. Photographs of representative plants are also incorporated for easy identification for future work. References are cited for both voucher specimens including geographical localities and field numbers. Palynological terms are cited from various standard publications already mentioned in Introduction and Discussion.129 new reports have been described palynologically from the research area, mentioned in the Discussion. Various areas of study for future workers in basic and applied palynology have been identified. Based on these analytical results priority issues are identified to develop applied palynology in Pakistan