Pollen morphology of Passifloraceae Juss. ex Kunth. in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Abstract

In Rio Grande do Sul, Passiflora is represented by 15 species that are found mainly in edge of woods. This paper presents a comparison between the pollen morphology of the studied material and information available in the literature, identifying and discussing the main characters of diagnostic value, such as types of pollen aperture and sculpture of its walls, in order to provide grants for studies taxonomic and contribute to the knowledge of pollen diversity. In preparing the plant material was used acetolysis. The pollen material was analyzed with optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy and photographed using both techniques. The species presented pollen grains of medium to large size, exine heterobrochate showing differences in the dimensions of their walls and lumens. There were two groups regarding the pattern of openings: I. P. alata, P. amethystina, P. caerulea, P. edulis (6 syncolpate), P. foetida (6-14 syncolpate), P. actinia (6-8 syncolpate), P. elegans, P. tenuifila (6-10 syncolpate) and P. eichleriana (6-14 syncolpate). II. P. misera, P. morifolia, P. organensis, P. suberosa (6 colporate), P. capsularis and P. urnifolia (12 colporate). The results showed variability of pollen morphology characterizing the Passiflora genus as eurypalynous.