Investigation of Pollen Morphology of Malva L. (Malvaceae) in Libya

Wafia E. Abdalrahim; Houssein M. Eltaguri

doi:10.54172/h20j9r95

Authors

Wafia E. Abdalrahim Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Omar AL-Mukhtar University, Libya Author https://orcid.org/0009-0000-2620-0658
Houssein M. Eltaguri Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of Benghazi, Libya Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54172/h20j9r95

Keywords:

Malvaceae, Malva, Pollen Morphology, Taxonomy, Libya

Abstract

The Malva L. genus belongs to the Malvaceae Juss., which comprises about 40 species. This genus is represented by only six taxa in Libya, namely, Malva aegyptia L., M. sylvestris L., M. verticillata L., M. nicaeensis All., M. parviflora L. var. parviflora and M. parviflora L. var. microcarpa (Pers.) Loscos. In this study, the Malva L. species have been studied and investigated in terms of pollen morphology. Pollen morphology grains have been examined and studied in all taxa using a light microscope. Measurements of pollen diameter, pore diameter and arrangement, pollen shape, and spine features are recorded and comprehensively studied. Palynological results have revealed that pollen grains of Malva species are apolar, spheroidal, and polypantoporate. Pollen grains are characterized by spines, which are long, slender and pointed and/or short and pointed. Inter-spinal distance between apices was a remarkable feature that could be utilized with other features to demarcate species belonging to Malva L.

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