Pollen of Polygalaceae
Pollen morphology in Polygalaceae
Leguminosae and close relatives in the Fabales clade are an important focus of research at Kew. In the most recent eudicot molecular phylogenies Leguminosae occur in the eurosid I clade along with Polygalaceae, Surianaceae and Quillajaceae, although the closest relatives are still to be resolved. These putative sister groups were previously poorly documented palynologically. This project provides pollen data to assist systematic studies, resolve the closest relative to Leguminosae, and provide baseline data to support further evolutionary research. A survey of the pollen of Surianaceae and Quillajaceae was published in 2005, and pollen of Polygalaceae is currently being prepared for publication. No previous systematic account of pollen in Polygalaceae has been published. This work presents pollen descriptions and illustrations of all genera, including new information on many species and the first photomicrographs of eight genera. Tables of pollen characters, pollen measurements and previous publication details make this project an important basis for further studies; for example, contribution of pollen morphological characters to multidataset phylogenetic analyses, and underpinning further studies on the evolution of pollen, flower and pollination systems in the Fabales clade.
Project Team
Project Leader: Banks, Hannah
Herbarium
Gwilym Lewis, Frances Claxton, Peter Crane (Honorary Research Associate)
Jodrell Laboratory
Hannah Banks