The significance of some pollen morphological characters of the tribe Amorpheae and of the genus Mucuna (tribe phaseoleae) in the biology and systematics of subfamily Papilionoideae (Leguminosae)

Abstract

Aperture configuration, tectal ornamentation and exine stratification are the most significant pollen characters in the subfamily Papilionoideae (Leguminosae). Some trends in pollen characters are closely correlated with trends towards specialisation in macromorphological characters. The structure of the colpate/colporate aperture and its associated aperture membrane/operculum is described in the tribe Amorpheae. Here the genera Apoplanesia, Eysenhardtia and most species of Errazurizia have small tricolporate pollen with a granular colpus membrane and complete tectum. The pollen of Amorpha, Parryella and one species of Errazurizia have tricolporate pollen with an operculum and reticulate tectum. Dalea, Marina and Psorothamnus have larger tricolpate, operculate, reticulate pollen. Some species of the genus Mucuna have pollen with a columellate interstitium while others have a granular interstitium. These types correspond in general with the proposed macromorphologically based division of the genus. Supratectal verrucate ornamentation occurs in some neotropical species of Mucuna. This pollen character appears to be related to floral morphology and pollinator.