Palynological investigation of lactiferous flora (Apocynaceae) of District Rawalpindi, Pakistan, using light and scanning electron microscopy

Abstract

This was the first comprehensive pollen micromorphological investigation of lactiferous flora (Apocynaceae) of District Rawalpindi, Pakistan. The pollen morphology of 10 species of the family Apocynaceae was observed and documented using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Pollen was found subspheroidal in shape in most of the species, however peroblate shape was noted in Vinca major. Exine sculpturing patterns (psilate, rugulate, scabrate, and microreticulate) were observed. The result indicated that exine ornamentation of Apocynaceae taxa is systematically informative at generic and species levels. Most of the species have tricolporate type pollen but tetraporate pollen was also observed in Trachelospermum jasminoides and tetracolpate in V. major. Minimum equatorial diameter was noted in Carissa edulis (27.13 μm) and maximum in V. major (108.25 μm). Similarly, maximum exine thickness was found in Cascabela thevetia (9.5 μm). In the present findings, the pollen morphological data are compared with available other pollen studies to evaluate the taxonomic value of pollen traits in Apocynaceae taxa by using multiple microscopic techniques. Furthermore, molecular and phylogenetic studies were recommended to strengthen the systematics of Apocynaceae taxa.

Quality assurance and authentication of herbal drug (Argyrolobium roseum and Viola stocksii) through comparative light and scanning electron microscopy

“…In such situation, pollen characterization seems to be very powerful trait for discrimination of species. Scanning electron microscopy have been used as a tool to study the micromorphology of plant materials, that is, foliar epidermal anatomy (Ashfaq et al, 2019b; Bahadur et al, 2019, 2020; Gul et al, 2019a, 2019b) and pollen micromorphology (Amina et al, 2020; Ashfaq et al, 2018; Bahadur et al, 2018; Gul et al, 2019a, 2019b; Naz et al, 2019; Sufyan et al, 2018).…”

Foliar epidermal micromorphology and its taxonomic significance in Polygonatum (Asparagaceae) using scanning electron microscopy

“…In the last few decades, SEM has revolutionized bioscience and its various branches which provides the opportunity to explore consistent features to determine plant taxa, as well as information about the anatomical features such as leaf epidermal decoration, stomata type and distribution, epidermal cells, glandular, and non‐glandular trichomes, have proven to be the most useful traits in the identification and discriminations of the species of various plant groups (Nurit‐Silva & De Fátima Agra, 2011). Moreover, these plants should be further screened out for its medicinal value (Ashfaq et al, 2019b; Bahadur et al, 2020; Zaman et al, 2020), nanoparticles (Azam et al, 2020; Azam et al, 2020; Saqib et al, 2019), pharmacological and antimicrobial potential (Rubab et al, 2020), ecological significance (Retamales & Scharaschkin, 2015; Sajad et al, 2020), its association with other plants (Azam, Ayaz, et al, 2020; Azam, Khan, et al, 2020; Naeem et al, 2020; Sarah et al, 2019), and palynological using SEM (Amina et al, 2020; Ashfaq et al, 2018; Ayaz et al, 2020; Bahadur et al, 2018; Gul et al, 2019c; Naz et al, 2019; Sufyan et al, 2018) have been recommended to strengthen the taxonomy of Polygonatum .…”

Neuropharmacological potential of various morphological parts of Camellia sinensis L.

“…Furthermore, investigation of micro-morphological features of Camellia sinensis using light and scanning electron microscopy is recommended for the authentication and correct identification. As foliar epidermal (Ashfaq et al, 2019b, Gul et al, 2019a, Gul et al, 2019b) and pollen features (Ayaz et al, 2019, Gul et al, 2019c, Naz et al, 2019, Sufyan et al, 2018) have been proved significantly in the correct identification of various plant taxa.…”