| Abstract: | The present paper describes the pollen morphology of 27 species, 4 varieties and 1
form of Asarum from China. The pollen grains were all examined under light microscope and
scanning electron microscope. The apertures of pollen grains of Asarum are variable and so
distinct as to allow the identification of individual subgenera and species. The exine
ornamentation is compound and may be divided into two types: reticulate or cerebelloid under verrucae. The pollen grains of Subgen. Asarum and Subgen. Heterotropa are
distinguishable, which supports the taxonomical subdivision based on the gross
morphology. The differences in the pollen morphology between A. caulescens Maxim. and
A. sieboldii Miq. in China and in Japan are discussed and some comparisons in the pollenmorphology between several species similar in the gross morphology are also made. |
