Pollen morphology of Chinese Glochidion (Phyllanthaceae) and its taxonomic implications
24 July 2015
Yao, Gang; Zhang, DianxiangThe pollen morphology of twenty-five Chinese species belonging to two sections of Glochidion and a species from Phyllanthus subgenus Phyllanthodendron was examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that pollen grains of Glochidion were isopolar, spheroidal to rarely subprolate in shape, (3)4–5(6)-colporate in aperture pattern, and tectate-reticulate to tectate-rugulate in exine ornamentation. Fusion of colpus ends was observed in some pollen grains of G. pseudo-obscurum and G. wrightii. The pollen grains of Phyllanthus dunnianus were similar to those of Glochidion species in their spheroidal shape and four-colporate aperture pattern, but slightly larger in size, and with tectate-perforate exine ornamentation. Pollen data of Glochidion could be used in distinguishing macromorphologically similar taxa in the genus. Additionally, palynological characters provided evidence for the taxonomic treatment of the super genus Phyllanthus s.l.