Pollen morphology of some members of Piperaceae and its bearing on the systematics and phylogeny of the family

Mathew P.J. & P.M. Mathew

Published on : 01-Jan-2022

DOI : https://dx.doi.org/10.22244/rheedea.2001.11.02.01

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Abstract

Pollen morphology of 17 species of Piper, 8 cultivars of Piper nigrum, 13 species of Peperomia and the monotypic genus Heckeria of the family Piperaceae from South India was studied by both light and scanning electron microscopy. Two pollen types could be recognized : (I) Piper type (Piper, Heckeria) with isobilateral, monocolpate grains showing predominantly echinate exine surface pattern, and (2) Peperomia type (Peperomia) with radiosymmetric inaperturate grains showing predominantly areolate-spinulate exine. The pollen grains of all the three genera are very small-sized. Pollen features are shown to support closer affinity of the Piperaceae with Saururaceae. This also favours more evolved status of the Piper group than Peperomia within the family. The difference in the pollen features of Peperomia with the remainder of Piperaceae supports its segregation into a separate family Peperomiaceae.