Authors : Sulbha Kulkarni
Page Nos : 248-251
Description :
Pollen ornamentation occupies an important diagnostic feature in the pollen grains of the family Asteraceae. In this family varrulate to echinate pollen grains were observed. In the present study variations were observed in the pollen grains of the seven species of Blumea. These seven species were Blumea eriantha DC, B. lacera (Burm. F.) DC, B. lacineata (Roxb.), B. obliqua (Linn.) Druce, B. obliqua (Linn.) Druce var. aurita (L.f.), B. oxyodonta DC and B. oxyodonta DC var. prostrata. Various characters viz. shape, size, symmetry, diameter, ornamentation, exine thickness, number of spines and spine thickness were studied in the species of Blumea. All these characters were used to identify the plants at generic and species level. The sculpturing of the exine was highly elaborate in the genus Blumea but there were tendencies of simplifications and loss of sculpturing in anemophilous taxa. In this family anemophily is regarded as a derived condition and the reduction in the sculpturing of exine appears to be closely related to the different pollination methods. Theses pollen characters significantly contributed to the various aspects of agricultural research which are responsible for green revolution in the country.
Keywords: Anemophily, Asteraceae, Blumea, ornamentation and sculpturing.
