J Integr Plant Biol. ›› 1983, Vol. 25 ›› Issue (5): -.

• Research Articles •    

Studies on the Pollen Morphology of Chinese Ephedra

Zhang Yu-long and Xi Yi-zhen   

Abstract: Pollen morphology of 11 species of Chinese Ephedra has been studied All of them were examined under the light microscope and scanning electron microscope. Pollen grains are long ellipsoidal or ellipsoidal in shape. The long axis is 40 to 67 μm . and the short one is 21 to 38 pm . No aperture is present. The ridges vary from 5 to 16. The width of the ridge is 2.6–6.1 μm , Hyaline line is distinct or indistinct, or absent, and in some species it branches. According to the type of pollen grains of Ephedra divided by steeves and Barghoorn (1959), it is easy to separate type A from type D, but it is difficult to distinguish type B from type C. Thus we combine type B with type C into one type (type BC). E. intermedia, E. siniea, E. equisetina belong to type A, and E. likiangensis, E. likiangensis f. mairei and E. minute to type D. All other species belong to type BC. Type A plants distribute in Northwest, Northeast, and North China, type D in Southwest China and Tibet, and type BC is found almost over China except in the regions of lower valley of Yangtze River and in the valley of the Pearl River. It is noted that the pollen grains of Ephedra and spores of Schizeae are easily confused sometimes in pollen analysis. When we compare their morphology, two main different po- ints are found: 1. The end of pollen grain of Ephidra is sharper, but that of the spore of Schizeae is more flat. 2. The ridges of pollen grain of Ephedra come nearer each other towards the ends, and the ribs of spores of Schizeae are parallel through the ends.

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