Pollen morphology of Iranian species of Anemone L. & Pulsatilla Mill. (Ranunculaceae) and its implications

Abstract In this study, pollen analyses of Iranian species of Anemone L. and Pulsatilla Mill. were conducted through light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Two pollen classes were observed in these species: trizonocolpate and pantoporate. The trizonocolpate class consists of only Anemone caucasica species, which are isopolar and prolate with microechinate ornamentations, and the pantoporate class consists of four other Anemone taxa and Pulsatilla albana, which have isopolar and spheroidal pollen grains, with 8–18 circular pores and microechinate ornamentations. Some characters show variations between/within species and populations and must be regarded in taxonomic studies. It is necessary to write a key for the porate pollen grains of Ranunculaceae, especially Anemone species. Pollen character evolution of these species is not clear.