The relationships of the genus Cicer L. (Leguminosae): the evidence from pollen morphology

The genus Cicer has traditionally been placed in the Vicieae, although it has a number of morphological characters which suggest that it is out of place in that tribe and that its affinities lie elsewhere. A survey of pollen morphology in Cicer , the other genera of the Vicieae, the Trifolieae and the Ononideae has been carried out to help determine the relationships of Cicer. The tribe Vicieae (without Cicer) is very homogeneous and is characterized by its long, rectangular pollen grains with small, heavily thickened endoapertures. The Trifolieae is more variable in its pollen morphology but, in general, has rather similar grains to the Vicieae although the structure of the endoaperture is different. The Ononideae and Cicer have nearly spheroidal pollen with very large, unthickened endoapertures. It therefore appears that as far as pollen characters are concerned, Cicer does not belong in the Vicieae but has much more in common with the Ononideae.