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POLLEN FLORA OF PAKISTAN - XLI. CUSCUTACEAE

ANJUM PERVEEN AND MOHAMMAD QAISER

Abstract: Pollen morphology of 11 species belonging to the genus Cuscuta of the family Cuscutaceae from Pakistan have been examined by light and scanning electron microscope. Cuscutaceae is an eurypalynous family. Pollen grains are generally free, radially symmetrical, isopolar or apolar, colpate, oblate-spheroidal - prolate-spheroidal or sub-prolate rarely spheroidal. Sexine is thicker or as thick as nexine. Tectum reticulate, reticulate rugulate, scabrate or punctate-scabrate. The pollen morphology of the family Cuscutaceae is significantly helpful at specific level. On the basis of exine ornamentation, 3 distinct pollen types viz., Cuscuta reflexa - type, Cuscuta capitata- type and Cuscuta campestris type are recognized.
 

Department of Botany, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan.