Abstract
Pollen size varies extensively among angiosperm species and partially reflects evolutionary adaptation of each species to the pollination and fertilization environment. Size of uninuclear microspores in Aesculus parviflora was analyzed and compared with the size of microspores in Aesculus hippocastanum, Aesculus carnea, and Aesculus flava. The microspores came from closed flower buds of different size (3, 4, and 5 mm) isolated from lower (female flowers), middle (bisexual flowers), and upper (male flowers) segments of inflorescences. Aesculus parviflora had smaller microspores than Aesculus carnea and Aesculus flava, but larger microspores than Aesculus hippocastanum. All analyzed microspores showed bimodal distribution in all investigated species of the genus Aesculus.
Highlights
Pollen size varies extensively among angiosperm species
Pollen dimorphism has been detected in anthers of some woody species, including Aesculus hippocastanum (Radojević 1989, 1991; Ćalić et al, 2003-2004), Aesculus carnea (Marinković and Radojević, 1992), and Aesculus flava (Ćalić-Dragosavac et al, 2008)
The buckeye genus Aesculus is one of ornamental trees, notably the horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum), which is grown for its winter buds, large leaves, and striking inflorescence
Summary
Pollen size varies extensively among angiosperm species. This variation partially reflects evolutionary adaptation of each species to the pollination and fertilization environment. Pollen dimorphism has been detected in anthers of some woody species, including Aesculus hippocastanum (Radojević 1989, 1991; Ćalić et al, 2003-2004), Aesculus carnea (Marinković and Radojević, 1992), and Aesculus flava (Ćalić-Dragosavac et al, 2008). Scanning and transmission electron microscopy of the genus Aesculus confirmed significant differences in pollen size and shape (Pozhidaev, 1995).
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