Pollen morphology ofAstragalusL. sectionHololeuceBunge (Fabaceae) in Turkey

Abstract

Abstract Pollen morphology of 15 taxa belonging to the section Hololeuce Bunge of genus Astragalus L. species was investigated by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Pollen slides were prepared using a Wodehouse technique. Measurements were based on 20 or more pollen grains per specimen. For scanning electron microscopy studies, dried pollen grains were transferred on aluminium stubs and coated with gold for 4 min in a sputter-coater. The pollen grains of Hololeuce taxa are radially symmetric and isopolar. The pollen grains of the taxa are prolate–spheroidal, subprolate or prolate with the polar axes 21.42–32.93 μm and the equatorial axes 17.13–28.26 μm. The pollen grains are operculate and trizonocolporate. Syncolporate. Colpi were usually long and narrow (Clt: 4.13–6.68 μm, Clg: 16.56–26.52 μm), subterminal, membrane granulate or verrucate. Pores were found to be longate or circular (Plg: 5.01–7.82 μm, Plt: 5.31–8.69 μm). Operculum membrane ornamentation verrucate, granulate, rugulate and...