The Clypeate pollen grains of Turkish Iris L. (Iridaceae): Subgenus Scorpiris Sach

Abstract

The clypeate pollen grains of some species of Turkish Iris L. (Iridaceae) taxa belonging to the subgenus Scorpiris Spach have been investigated. Attention is given to characteristics of exine sculpturing and the exine shields using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The pollen grains of the Scorpiris are shown to be uniform, especially with regard to pollen shape and exine sculpturing. However, a trend towards greater pollen size accompanied by higher exine shield number is noted from the less specialised taxa to the more specialised taxa. It is also considered that the clypeate pollen type is unique to subgenus Scorpiris among Turkish irises.