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 inG. 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.

Key words: Palynology, psilate, echinate.