Studies on the pollen morphology of some species of the family Solanaceae in Iraq

Abstract

Pollen morphology of ten species of family Solanaceae from Iraq, Capsicum annuum var. longum L., Capsicum annuum var. grossum L., Lycium barbarum L., Petunia hybrida Mill. , Nicotiana tabacum L.,Lycopersicon esculentum Mill., Solanum melongena L., Solanum dulcamara L., Solanum nigrum L., Physalis alkekengi L.and Withania somnifera belong to eight genera of Solanaceae were studied by light microscope . Two pollen types 3-colporate and 4- colporate were recognized, Pollen grains were oblate–spheroidal in Lycopersicon esculentum, Petunia hybrida and Solanum nigrum, while subprolate in Lycium barbarum and prolate –spheroidal in rest species. Exine was thicker than intine. Pollen grain size varies from small in Physalis alkekengi and Solanum dulcamara, small to middle in Capsicum annuum, Lycopersicun esculentum and Solanum nigrum and middle in rest species. Palynological data has been useful at genus and species levels.