Pollen morphology of Malvaceae genera from Saudi Arabia and its taxonomic significance

Pollen morphology of 20 species belong to seven genera (Abutilon, Althaea, Hibiscus, Malva, Pavonia, Senra and Sida) of Malvaceae from Saudi Arabia were studied by using light microscope (LM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Quantitative and qualitative pollen morphological characters which vary among investigated taxa are found in the pollen polarity, symmetry, size, shape, polar axis, equatorial diameter, P/E ratio, average height and width of spine, aperature character and spine index. The pollen grains vary from spheroidal, prolate spheroidal, oblate spheroidal to suboblate. All taxa were characterized by relatively large to medium sized pollen grains, numerous pores scattered irregularly all over the grain, and echinate sculpturing. Sida ovata is the largest size pollen grain (138.95) µm. On the other hand, Malva parviflora showed the smallest pollen size (52.28 µm). The average height and width of spine varied greatly among studied taxa. The highest spines (20.65µm) found in Sida ovata, while the shortest (3.19 µm) was found in Abutilon pannosum. Results of the pollen shape, size, and exine sculpture characters offered useful data for evaluating the taxonomy of Malvaceae both on subgeneric and sectional levels. A key for the identification of the investigated taxa based on pollen grains characters is also provided