Morphopalynological Attributes of Selected Species of Asteraceae and Apocynaceae from District Bannu

Abstract

The study was conducted with an aim to investigate the morphology selected species of Asteraceae and Apocynaceae from District Bannu, Pakistan. Palynological research using the standard method of acetolysis have been conducted on the taxa. Pollen slides were mounted and kept as a references material. The pollen grains were measured using light microscopy and then photographed. The qualitative and quantitative pollen features were studied the observation of the current study revealed the highest Polar diameter in Carthamus tinctorius (25.5), and lowest Conyza canadensis (5). The observation of the current study revealed the highest Equatorial diameter in Verbesina encelioides (20), and lowest Gaillardia pulchella (5). The observation of the current study revealed the highest P/E ratio in Gaillardia pulchella (4), and lowest Glebionis coronaria (0.8). The pollen shape of Carthamus tinctorius, Glebionis coronaria, Centaurea iberica, Ageratum conyzoides were spheroidal. Helianthus annuus, Verbisina encelioides were prolate-spheriodal. Echinops echinatus were triangular, Carthamus oxyacantha were circular while Tagates erecta, Conyza canadensis and Parthenium hysterophorus were spherical.The pollen size of Carthamus tinctorius, Helianthus annuus, Gaillardia pulchella, Parthenium hysterophorus, Verbisina encelioides were medium and Glebionis coronaria, Centaurea iberica, Ageratum conyzoides were small While Echinops echinatus, Tagates erecta, Conyza canadensis, Carthamus oxyacantha were large.The exine sculpture of Gaillardia pulchella, Carthamus tinctorius, Helianthus annuus, Glebionis coronaria, Echinops echinatus, Centaurea iberica, Gaillardia oxyacantha, Verbisina encelioides, Ageratum conyzoides were Echinate and Tagates erecta, Conyza canadensis were Psilate while Parthenium hysterophorus were Reticulate. The highest Polar diameter was observed in Vinca rosea (22.5), and lowest Cascabela thevetia (7.5). The highest Equatorial diameter was observed in Nerium indicum (25) and Cascabela thevetia (10). The highest P/E ratio was observed in Vinca rosea (1.28), and Nerium indicum (0.6).The polen shape of Nerium oleander were oblate- spheriodal. Nerium indicum were spheriodal while Cascabela thevetia and Vinca rosea were prolate- spheriodal.The pollen size of Nerium oleander were medium- large, Nerium indicum were medium and Cascebela thevetia were large- very large while Vinca rosea were large.The exine sculpture of Nerium oleander were regulate- psilate,  Nerium indicum were psilate, Cascabela thevetia were reticulate while Vinca rosea were perforate. This informationare are helpful in differentiation among Asteraceous and Apocynaceous texa.