Study on the Pollen Morphology of the Family Berberidaceae

Chang King-Tang, Wang Ping-Li

Received:1900-01-01 Revised:1900-01-01 Online:1983-05-18 Published:1983-05-18
Contact: Chang King-Tang

Abstract:

The pollen grains of 33 species representing 11 genera of the family Berberidaceae,

mostly from China, were examined with the light microscope and scanning electron

microscope. Their characteritic details can be used for generic diagnosis. A pollen

key to the genera based on these observations is presented.

Based on the morphology, the pollen grains can be grouped into the following three

types:

1. The tetrad pollen type found only in the genus Sinopodophyllum.

2. The spiraperturate pollen type found in the genera Berberis and Mahonia.

3. The tricolpate pollen type found in the genera Diphylleia, Jeffersonia, Nan-

dina, Dysosma, Caulophyllum, Leontice and Epimedium.

A diagnostic key to the pollen grains of genera in the Berberidaceae.

1. Pollen grains single

2. Pollen grains spiraperturate .................... Berberis L., Mahonia L.

2. Pollen grains tricolpate

3. Exine with spinose sculpture ........................ Diphylleia Michx.

3. Exine with non-spinose sculpture

4. Exine with striate or striate-reticulate sculpture ...... Jeffersonia Barton

4. Exine with reticulate sculpture

5. Exine around colpus with distinct thickening ........ Nandina Thunb.

5. Exine around colpus without thickening

6. Pollen grains larger (45—50)×(32.5—37.5)μ 7. Colpus with membrane ................ Dysosma R. E. Woodson

7. Colpus without membrane ................ Caulophyllum Michx.

6. Pollen grains smaller (25—550)×(20—527.5) μ

7. Pollen grains prolate-perprolate .................... Leontice L.

7. Pollen grains spheroidal-prolate...Epimedium L., Podophyllum L.

1. Pollen grains tetrad ............................ Sinopodophyllum Ying

Chang King-Tang, Wang Ping-Li. Study on the Pollen Morphology of the Family Berberidaceae[J]. .

Knowledge