Abstract
Pollen morphology of two subfamilies of Ericaceae, Cassiopoideae and Harrimanelloideae, was studied using light microscopy (LM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and also, for selected species, transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The systematic significance of new palynological data is discussed in the light of the recent classification of Ericaceae. The Cassiopoideae are stenopalynous; the four 3-aperturate grains are united in compact minute tetrads with striate apoclopial exine sculpture. Infra- and inter-specific variations have been observed in some palynological features of Cassiope, this might be due to geographical distribution. The Harrimanelloideae pollen grain is characterized by minute tetrahedral tetrads with coarsely rugulate to psilate apoclopial exine sculpture and perforated septum. Pollen morphology supports the subfamilial status of Cassiopoideae and Harrimanelloideae, and the close relationship between the members of subfamily Harrimanelloideae and Vaccinioideae. The secondary sculpture on the exine surface might be a synapomorphic palynological character state for Harrimanelloideae + Styphelioideae + Vaccinioideae clade. Keywords: Pollen morphology; Systematics; Cassiopoideae; Harrimanelloideae; Ericaceae. DOI: 10.3329/bjpt.v16i1.2745 Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 16(1): 37-46, 2009 (June)
Highlights
The cosmopolitan family Ericaceae comprises eight subfamilies, approximately 125 genera and 4100 species. Members of this family are highly diverse in life forms, leaf morphology, and inflorescence characteristics, three of these subfamilies viz., Enkianthoideae, Cassiopoideae and Harrimanelloideae, are monogeneric (Kron et al, 2002; Kron and Luteyn, 2005)
Pollen morphology of four species, representing both genera of the monogeneric subfamilies Cassiopoideae and Harrimanelloideae was examined with light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) (Table 1)
Cassiopoideae In LM, the pollen grains are united in compact tetrahedral tetrad (Figs 1A-C)
Summary
The cosmopolitan family Ericaceae comprises eight subfamilies, approximately 125 genera and 4100 species Members of this family are highly diverse in life forms, leaf morphology, and inflorescence characteristics, three of these subfamilies viz., Enkianthoideae, Cassiopoideae and Harrimanelloideae, are monogeneric (Kron et al, 2002; Kron and Luteyn, 2005). The cladistic studies showed that Cassiope and Harrimanella (as member of the tribe Cassiopeae sensu Stevens, 1971) form a sister clade to Ericoideae (including Ericeae-Empetreae-Rhodoreae clade). They are cladistically closer to Ericeae (Ericeae and Calluneae sensu Watson et al, 1967) than to any part of the Vaccinioideae (Anderberg, 1993). The latest classification of Ericaceae identified them as the member
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