Pollen morphology of Arecaceae from Cuba

Abstract

2002. Pollen morphology of Arecaceae from Cuba. -Grana 41: 149-157.Pollen morphology of 32 species belonging to 15 genera of Arecaceae was examined using light microscopy (LM), scanning (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Though Arecaceae is an eurypalynous family, the pollen of the West Indian species shares many similarities: pollen grains monosulcate, simple, tectate-perforate to semitectate-reticulate. However, pollen grains may be trichotomosulcate or monosulcate in Pseudophoenix sargentii, Gastrococos crispa and Bactris cubensis, and exclusively trichotomosulcate in Acrocomia aculeata. Cuban species have four pollen aperture types: the most common are symmetric and asymmetric monosulcate followed by symmetric and asymmetric trichotomosulcate. Different exine types are distinguishable according to the tectum surface pattern. The importance of tectum ornamentation and exine strati cation of species is con rmed.