Palynology of Berberis (Berberidaceae)

Abstract

Pollen morphological observations were made from oil emmersion light microsopy and scanning electron microscopy for 21 species of Berberis in relation to palynodiversity within the genus. No palynological relationship between the different sections is encountered. Pollen morphological subdivision of the genus is proposed and a palynological key to different species is provided for species identification based on pollen characters. Based on apertual evolution within the genus, phylogeny of the genus is traced and it is found that the apertural evolution is monophyletic originating from inaperturate (B. macrosepala) and basic 3-colpate forms to the advanced spiraperturate pollen of (B. asiatica). The taxa B. lycium represent the intermediate form or a "connecting link" in the chain of pollen evolution. The evolution of surface ornamentation within the taxa is also parallel to the aperture evolution.