POLLEN MORPHOLOGY AND THE RELATIONSHIPS OF CIRCAEASTER,OF KINGDONIA,AND OF SARGENTODOXA TO THE RANUNCULALES

The pollen of three monotypic genera, Circaeaster, Kingdonia, and Sargentodoxa has been examined by light and scanning electron microscopy and in the case of the last genus, also by transmission electron microscopy. The type of tectum found in Circaeaster and Kingdonia, derivations of a compound layer of striae, has a restricted distribution in the Order Ranunculales. Of 64 genera examined in this order only six had species with a similar tectum. They include Achlys, Epimedium, Jeffersonia, and Vancouveria of the Berberidaceae s.l., the controversial Hydrastis, and Trollius of the Ranunculaceae. Circaeaster and Kingdonia have been considered as related since both have rare and primitive vegetative characteristics, the most notable being open dichotomous leaf venation. They are probably best treated as a ditypic family, Circaeasteraceae. The pollen of Sargentodoxa, especially the structure of the exine, closely resembles that of the Lardizabalaceae. However, the fruits of Sargentodoxa have been considered to be distinct from those of the Lardizabalaceae, suggesting that it be treated as a separate, but closely allied, family.