| Abstract: | In the present work, pollen grains of 3 species of Liriope, 24 speciesof Ophiopogon and 2 species of Peliosanthes were examined under scanning electronmicroscope, Among them 4 species were also observed under transmission electronmicroscope. The observation (Table 3)shows that Liriope and Ophiopogon distinctly differfrom Peliosanthes in the exine ornamentation and structure, They may be dividedinto two types: 1. Rugulate-perforate, ektexine with perforate tectum in Liriopeand Ophiopogon. 2. Verrucate, Verracae unequal in size, ektexine intectate inPeliosanthes. Pollen morphology shows the close affinity between Liriope andOphiopogon, but they are very far from Peliosanthes. The correlation between pollen and gross morphology in Liriope, Ophiopogon and Peliosanthes are stated andtheir evolutionaly trends are discussed in this paper. The pollen characters supportthe placement of Liriope and Ophiopogon in one tribe—Ophiopogoneae, andPeliosanthes in another tribe—Peliosantheae. Peliosanthes is more advancedthan Liriope and Ophiopogon. |
