Abstract Pollen of 10 species of Acanthopanax was examined by light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The TEM study has confirmed the previous interpretation of nexine structure for Araliaceae. Three sexine sculpture patterns were recognized. Perforaterugulose type appears to be the basic sexine pattern for the genus. The other two types are reticulate and reticulate with a sublayer of tectum. The rhomboidal pollen shape and basic sexine pattern of Acanthopanax resemble closely the hoi type of the related genus Schefflera.