Palynological Studies of the Genus Convolvulus L. (Convolvulaceae) from Turkey

Abstract

Pollen morphology of six taxa of the genus Convolvulus (Convolvulus assyricus, C. betonicifolius subsp. betonicifolius, C. cataonicus, C. galaticus, C. lineatus, and C. pseudoscammonia) were investigated. Three of these taxa, C. assyricus, C. cataonicus and C. pseudoscammonia, are endemic to Turkey. Pollen grains were evaluated mainly for four diagnostic characteristics: pollen type, pollen shape, apertures and ornamentation. Following the measurements and observations, pollen grains were photographed under an optical and a scanning electron microscope. The pollen grains of the examined taxa are all 3-zonocolpate. The pollen shape is oblate, suboblate, oblate spheroidal or prolate spheroidal. The nexine is thinner than the sexine or equal, and the tectum is microechinate and rarely or densely perforated in all species except C. pseudoscammonia. Colpus borders and tapering ends are distinct and the colpus area is gemmate and granulate in all examined species.