Pollen morphology of rare species of Linum L. (Linaceae) from Poland

Abstract

The aim of the study was to describe pollen morphology and its variability of four Linum species: L. perenne subsp. extraaxillare, L. hirsutum, L. flavum and L. austriacum, all derived from Poland, but occurring in few natural sites within the country. Light and scanning electron microscopy was used and statistical analyses of quantitative pollen traits were performed. All taxa shared pollen grains which were 3-zonocolpate, isopolar, radiosymmetric, spheroidal and medium to large in size. Grains were semitectate, with the sculptural elements of the exine as gemmae or clavae. Additionally, upper parts of gemmae and clavae had a microstriate pattern. Despite great similarity among the investigated Linum species in pollen morphology, distinguishing features were determined.

Pollen morphology of endemic Linum species (Linoideae: Linaceae) from Mexico

“…The pollen morphology of the species studied here, as well as in previous works (Saad 1961; Erdtman 1966; Xavier 1967; Ockendon 1971; Rogers and Xavier 1971; Rogers 1980, 1982, 1985; Chester and Raine 2001; Perveen and Qaiser 2008; Lattar et al 2012; Talebi et al 2012; Kluza-Wieloch et al 2015, 2018), is accompanied by a variety in floral and fruit morphology within the genus (Xavier et al 1980). Diversification among Linum species in North America, as opposed to those in South America, is mainly attributed to the biogeographical and ecological conditions where they thrive, but also to their evolutionary history (McDill et al 2009; McDill and Simpson 2011; Ruiz-Martín et al 2018).…”

“…However, the multivariate statistical analyses defined the degree of importance of these traits in pollen variation, grouping those species that display narrow similarities in pollen morphology and identifying significant differences in three of the 11 species. The application of multivariate statistical analysis was not reported in previous studies on the pollen morphology of Linum (Saad 1961; Erdtman 1966; Xavier 1967; Ockendon 1971; Rogers and Xavier 1971; Rogers 1980, 1982, 1985; Chester and Raine 2001; Perveen and Qaiser 2008; Lattar et al 2012; Talebi et al 2012; Kluza-Wieloch et al 2015, 2018). Therefore, the present work is one of the first efforts to strengthen the conclusions derived from the study of the pollen morphological traits in Linum.…”

“…Although palynological work in Linum has been carried out since the 1950s worldwide (Saad 1961;Erdtman 1966;Xavier 1967;Ockendon 1971;Rogers and Xavier 1971;Rogers 1980Rogers , 1982Rogers , 1985Chester and Raine 2001;Perveen and Qaiser 2008;Lattar et al 2012;Talebi et al 2012;Kluza-Wieloch et al 2015, none of these publications includes a comprehensive report on pollen morphology, and there are no studies addressing all species of the genus. As a result, the characteristics of many species of the genus Linum, including the Mexican species, remain unknown.…”