M.S.Mulgaonkar1 G.T.Dabhade2
1. Department of Botany, B.N. Bandodkar College of Science, Thane - 400 601
2. Department of Botany, Birla College, Kalyan - 421 304
Abstract
Orchids have focused the attention of taxonomists, ecologists and biotechnologists and have also gained commercial importance in cut flower industry. Palynological study of three species of genus Dendrobium Sw. namely D. microbulbon A.Rich., D. mabalae Gammie and D. barbatulum Lindl. using SEM has been made. The monoporate pollens of Dendrobium microbulbon A.Rich. were observed to possess baculate ornamentation with bubble - like projections. Striate-rugulate excrescence is seen in D. mabalae Gammie. but monoporate pollens of Dendrobium barbatulum Lindl. possess reticulate ornamentation along with connate island formation. All these variations in the sculpturing of the three species of Dendrobium Sw. could be valuable tool in systematics and phylogeny of the genus.
Key words: Dendrobium, baculate, striate-rugulate, reticulate, ornamentation
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