Abstract
The pollen morphology of Dianthus petraeus (Caryophyllaceae), which is endemic to the Balkans, has been examined by both light and scanning electron microscopy in order to provide taxonomically valuable characters that might be used in the classification of the Caryophyllaceae, as well as to contribute to the pollen atlas of Serbian apiflora. The pollen grains of D. petraeus are radially symmetrical, apolar, spheroidal and medium-sized. The mean of the pollen diameter is 45.5?1.4 ?m. The sculpturing pattern of exine is microechinate-microperforate, and the tectum is covered with minute echini averaging 0.8?0.1 ?m in length, more or less evenly distributed between the perforations. The microechini average number per sample area of 5 ?m x 5 ?m is 3.2?0.6. In view of the number, position and type of the apertures, the grains are polypantoporate, with about 13 operculate pores, averaging 6.4?0.7 ?m in diameter. Each operculum is covered with 4-6 conical spinules, which are longer than those on the exine surface. The mean interporal distance is 13.3?1.3 ?m. The obtained palynological results provide information that contribute towards a better understanding of the taxonomic status of D. petraeus.
Highlights
The genus Dianthus belongs to the family Caryophyllaceae which is comprised of 86 genera and 2200 species that are mainly distributed in the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere with a center in the Mediterranean and Irano-Turanian region
The morphological similarities of pollen grains among Caryophyllaceae taxa relate to general characters such as polarity, symmetry and shape; on the other hand, features such as the size class, type, number and position of apertures as well as the sculpturing pattern and thickness of exine, due to considerable variation, are found to be of taxonomic value and useful in species delimitation (Perveen and Qaiser, 2006; Sahreen et al, 2008)
Except for the prevailing spheroidal grains of species classified in Silene indica-type and Stellaria media-type, Perveen and Qaiser (2006) found prolate-spheroidal (Spergula arvensis, S. marina, S. media, Polycarpaea corymbosa, P. spicata), sub-prolate (Spergula fallax) to rarely prolate grains (Telephium imperati)
Summary
The genus Dianthus belongs to the family Caryophyllaceae (order Caryophyllales) which is comprised of 86 genera and 2200 species that are mainly distributed in the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere with a center in the Mediterranean and Irano-Turanian region. Et Sm.), native mainly to Europe and Asia, with a few species extending to North Africa and North America (Mabberley, 2002). They are adapted to the cooler Alpine regions of Europe and Asia, but are found in Mediterranean coastal regions. 27 occur in Serbia (Gajić, 1970) These plants have always attracted attention, both in terms of widespread multipurpose use as well as from a scientific point of view. Some of them have been cultivated for hundreds of years for ornamental and culinary purposes, as aromatic plants containing essential oils present in small amounts in the petals, or as medicinal herbs traditionally prescribed in European folk medicine (Ingwerson, 1949; Facciola, 1990; Hughes, 1993; Bown, 1995; McGeorge and Hammett, 2002)
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