Palynological diversity in selected medicinal plant species of Asteraceae (Compositae) from flora of Kaghan Valley

Abstract

Pollen morphology of seven species, belonging to seven Asteraceae genera from the flora of Kaghan Valley was investigated by light and scanning electron microscopy. The species named Achillea millefolium Linn., Chrysanthemum leucanthemum Linn., Gerbera gossypina (Royle) Beauv., Senecio chrysanthemoides DC. Prodr., Sonchus asper Linn., Tagetes erecta Linn. and Xanthium strumarium Linn. were studied which showed considerable variation in pollen shape, size, length and number of spines, colpi and sculpturing in light as well as electron microscopy. The maximum pollen size was found in G. gossypina which was 38.3 µm in polar view and 57.75 in µm equatorial view whereas minimum pollen size in polar view that is, 23.65 µm was found in X. strumarium and 19 µm in equatorial view was found in A. millefolium. Psilate pollen sculpturing was observed in G. gossypina however the other species had spines on their pollen. The psilate sculpturing was considered as an advanced feature when compared to echinate sculpturing of pollen which was regarded as the primitive form. It was concluded that this research work has provided new dimensions towards further investigations in the field of palynology.

Palyno‐taxonomic approach through light and scanning electron microscopy for the identification of herbaceous Asteraceae species from Sikaram Mountain Pak‐Afghan border

“…which regarded as a primitive type of pollen was found in the taxa of Asteraceae (Mazarisup et al, 2012). Palynological characters including semi-angular, and prolate-spheroidal at polar and equatorial views respectively were studied in the genus Cousinia (Meo & Khan, 2003).…”

“…Pollen have exine sculpture is lophate and trizonocolporate was studied in Lactuca serriola (Sadeq & Aliwy, 2019). It is believed that the psilate exine sculpture was considered an advanced parameter as compared to the echinate sculpture which regarded as a primitive type of pollen was found in the taxa of Asteraceae (Mazarisup et al, 2012). Palynological characters including semi‐angular, and prolate‐spheroidal at polar and equatorial views respectively were studied in the genus Cousinia (Meo & Khan, 2003).…”

“…There are various disciplines linked with taxonomy, which collectively contributed to the identification and classification of the taxonomic position of Asteraceous species. So, among these disciplines, pollen morphology is the traditional tool used by modern taxonomists for the differentiation of closely similar Asteraceae species (Mazarisup et al, 2012). Further, pollen has a great potential for gene transfer and very effective bio‐active compounds like pesticides, herbicides, and pollutants (Zafar et al, 2007).…”