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Int. J. Pure Appl. Sci. 8(1);163-172 (2022)
DOI: 10.29132/ijpas.1078670
163
Pollen Morphology of Some Taxa Belonging to Polygonum L. and Rumex L.
(Polygonaceae) and Its Taxonomic Significance
Received date:24.02.2022, Accepted date: 09.05.2022
Abstract
In this article, the pollen morphologies of 14 samples in total, 12 taxa from Polygonum L., Rumex L. (Polygonaceae),
and two variations of Rumex scutatus L. were studied in detail by light microscopy and SEM. Solutions to taxonomic
problems of these species were sought with palynological information. Pollen grains of some taxa belonging to
Polygonum are studied as a result of palynological research; 3-colpate, 3-colporate, pantoporate, oblate-spheroidal,
prolate, prolate-spheroidal, tectate, and exine surface are microechinate-perforate and reticulate with the free-standing
columella. Pollen grains of some taxa belonging to Rumex; 3-colporate, rarely 4-colporate, pollen shapes are oblate-
spheroidal, suboblate, tectate, and exine surface are microechinate-perforate.
Keywords: Pollen morphology, Polygonaceae, Polygonum, Rumex, SEM
Polygonum L. ve Rumex TPolen
Morfolojisi ve Taksonomik nemi
Bu makalede, Polygonum L., Rumex L. (Polygonaceae)'den 12 takson ve Rumex scutatus L.'nin iki varyasyonu
olmak üzere toplam 14 örneğin polen morfolojileri ışık mikroskobu ve SEM ile detaylı olarak incelenmiştir. Palinolojik
bilgilerle bu türlerin taksonomik problemlerine çözüm aranmıştır. Palinolojik araştırmalar sonucunda Polygonum cinsine
ait bazı taksonların polenleri incelenmiş; 3-kolpat, 3-kolporat, pantoporat, oblate-sferoidal, prolat, prolat-sferoidal, tektat,
ekzin yüzeyi mikroekinat-perforat ve serbest kolumellalı retikulat yapıdadır. Rumex cinsine ait bazı taksonların polenleri;
3-kolporat, nadiren 4-kolporat, polen şekilleri oblat-sferoidal, suboblate, tektat ve ekzin yüzeyi mikroekinat-perforattır.
Anahtar Kelimeler: Polen morfolojisi, Polygonaceae, Polygonum, Rumex, SEM
INTRODUCTION
Although the distribution of Polygonaceae is
cosmopolitan, there are 51 genera and 1200 species
mainly in northern temperate regions (Leeuwen et al.,
1998; Freeman and Reveal, 2005; Sanchez and Kron,
2008). In our country, there are 10 genera and around
87 species from the Polygonaceae family (Özer et al.,
1999). Polygonum is a taxonomically difficult genus
that classification of Polygonum taxa in Turkey is
made more difficult by the apparent under-collecting
of the weedy species. The genera in the Polygonaceae
family are more common in meadows and pastures in
our country. It has been stated that plants belonging
to the Polygonaceae family, especially Polygonum L.
and Rumex L., are used for food and medical purposes
among the people (Şimşek et al., 2002).
A comprehensive study of pollen morphology in
Polygonaceae was published by Wodehouse (1931).
Hedberg (1946), in his classic article on pollen
morphology in the genus Polygonum L., identified ten
main pollen types and a number of abnormal types,
proposing a new taxonomic classification based on
pollen morphology, and also provided a key for
pollen types. According to Nowicke and Skvarla
(1977), Polygonaceae is considered to be one of the
most important eurypalynous families among
dicotyledons. According to Godwin (1975), pollen
from Polygonum and Rumex, which are members of
Int. J. Pure Appl. Sci. 8(1);204-213 (2022)
Research article
DOI: 10.29132/ijpas.1078670
164
the Polygonaceae family, was first discovered in
Hoxnian (Holsteinian) and Pastonian (early
Cromerian) glaciers, respectively. These are known
indicators of Devensian (Weichselian) periglacial
vegetation. The pollen grains of Rumex are also
indicative of arable land in the lower boreal period
(Holocene), which can find habitat in forest areas.
Two taxa very common in the Arctic, Koenigia
islandica L. and Oxyria digyna Hill, were found in
the Devensian glacier in England. Andersen (1961)
described several different pollen species from the
Devensian glacier in Denmark in his study. Based on
the data of Hedberg (1946), he defined a limited
number of species such as Bistorta type and Persicaria
type. Andersen (1961) revealed that 18 species of the
Rumex genus in Europe can be divided into four
different pollen groups.
Zhong-ze et al., (1999) investigated the pollen
morphology of 3 genera and 46 species from
Polygonaceae in Anhui province of the People's
Republic of China using light microscopy and
electron microscopy. Based on the morphological
features of the pollen grains of this family; they
defined 13 types based on species. Mosaferi and
Keshavarzi (2011) proved that the
micromorphological character traits of Persicarieae
pollen in Iran are effective in distinguishing them
from other families. As a result of their studies, they
concluded that Polygonum and Persicaria are
different genera belonging to Iran.
Hong et al. (2005) examined a total of 30 taxa
belonging to Polygonum L. and Polygonella Michx
genera with a light microscope and SEM. They
observed that the pollens examined were spheroidal
and prolate, the apertures were tricolporate, and rarely
5-6 colporate. They stated that the biggest difference
between the pollens was the difference in the exine
ornamentation and this difference was in 3 different
types. These are Avicularia type, Pseudomollia type,
and Duravia types.
Raycheva et al., (2021) described a new species
belonging to the Polygonaceae in Bulgaria. This
species is the Rumex kerneri Borbás species of
Rumex. Exine ornamentation was microechinate-
perforate, 3 or 4 colpate. They also stated that the
structure of the sporoderm did not show any
differences.
The aim of the study is to perform pollen
morphology analyses of 12 taxa from Polygonum,
Rumex and two variations of Rumex scutatus to
determine the usefulness of these features for
taxonomic applications.
MATERIALS and METHODS
Plant specimens were obtained from the
specimens of Bitlis Eren University Herbarium and
Gazi University herbarium (GAZI). The list of
voucher specimens is deposited in Bitlis Eren
University and GAZI Herbaria.
Specimens investigated;
Polygonum alpinum L.; B8-Bitlis Nemrut Cratet
Lake Slopes 2375 m. MK 6094, Det.: M. Kursat. P.
bistorta L.; A8 Trabzon Hayrat Klerson Site, field
edge, 1100 m, 27.07.2004, S. Aslan (GAZİ). P.
salicifolium L.; A3 Sakarya Karasu Denizköy
lakeside marsh 8 m, 29.04.2012, D. Karaduman 1594
(GAZİ). P. lapathifolium L.; B8-Bitlis, Ağaçköprü
Village, 26.07.2013, 38° 20' 11.95" N, 42° 00 10,88"
E, 1350-1450 m, M. Karataş 1382, Det.: M. Kurşat.
P. arenastrum Boreau.; A2 Kocaeli, Atakent
Arslanbey Road 90 m, 30.08.2008, D. Aslan 1466
(GAZİ). Rumex acetocella L.; B8-Bitlis, Ağaçköprü
Village, 08.07.2013, 38° 20' 11.95" N, 42° 00 10.88"
E, 1350-1450 m, MK 6095, Det.: M. Kurşat. R.
scutatus L.; B8-Bitlis, East of Kambos Mountain
(Valley), 18.06.2014, 38° 19' 29.58" N, 42° 00'
33.33" E, 1400-1600 m, M. Karataş 2184, 2185, Det.:
M. Kursat. R. scutatus L.(yellowish flowers)/(reddish
flowers); B9-Van Artus Mountain, northern slopes,
2100 m. MK 6098-a/ MK6098-b. R. tuberosus subsp.
horizontalis (K.Koch) Rech.f.; B8-Bitlis, South of
Kambos Mountain, 15.05.2014, 38° 17' 52.83" N, 41°
59' 15.31" E, 1240-1650 m, MK 6096, Det.: M.
Kurşat. R. alpinus L.; B8-Muş, northern slopes of
Kurtik Mountain, 2450 m. 11.05.2020. MK 6093,
Det.: M. Kursat. R. ponticus E.H.L. Krause; B8-
Bitlis, North Front of Kambos Mountain, 06.06.2014,
38° 19' 23.26" N, 41° 59' 42.29" E, 1800-1950 m, MK
6092 Det.: M. Kurşat. Endemic. R. crispus L.; B8-
Bitlis, North Slopes of Kambos Mountain,
31.05.2014, 38° 19' 23.26" N, 41° 59' 42.29"D, 1800-
1950m, M. Karataş 1981, Det.: M. Kurşat. R.
conglomeratus Murray; B8-Bitlis, North Slopes of
Kambos Mountain, 16.06.2015, 38° 19' 23.26" N, 41°
59' 42.29" E, 1800-1950 m, M. Karataş 2698, Det.:
M. Kurşat.
For light microscopy (LM) studies, pollen slides
were prepared using the Wodehouse (1935)
technique. The pollen grains were mounted in
unstained glycerine jelly, stained with safranin, and
Int. J. Pure Appl. Sci. 8(1);204-213 (2022)
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DOI: 10.29132/ijpas.1078670
165
studies were made using an Olympus BX-31.
Measurements were performed on at least 30 pollen
grains per specimen for each morphological
character; polar axis (P), equatorial diameter (E),
porus length (Plg), porus width, (Plt),colpus length
(Clg), colpus width (Clt), mesocolpium (L),
apocolpium (t), exine, and intine with LM using an
oil immersion 100U objective lens.
For SEM studies, pollen grains were dried,
mounted on stubs, and coated with gold by a sputter
coaster, and the SEM examination was carried out
using a ZEISS Supra 55 Scanning Electron
Microscope at the SEM Laboratory of the Central
Research Laboratory (MERLAB), Yuzuncu Yil
University, Van. In general, the terminology used is
in accordance with Punt et al. (2007) and Hesse et al.
(2009).
RESULTS
The pollen morphological properties of the
examined Polygonum and Rumex taxa are
summarized in Table 1 and Table 2. Representative
pollen grains are illustrated in Figures 1–2.
Size, symmetry, and shape
Polygonum; the pollen grains of the investigated
species are dispersed as a monad. They can be
described as isopolar symmetrical and based on SEM
and LM. The shape of the pollen grains in the
equatorial view are prolate and oblate-spheroidal,
whilst their shape in the polar view is triangular and
circular. The pollen grains are prolate (P. bistorta and
P. aranestrum) and others are oblate-spheroidal. The
polar axis varies from 25.16-52.49 μm and the
equatorial diameters from 17.37-37.40 μm.
mesocolpium 33.15-38.14 µm, apocolpium 12.30-
14.07 µm. Their dimensions are smaller in P.
aranestrum and larger in P. bistorta (Tables 1-2;
Figures 1-2).
Rumex; the pollen grains of the investigated
species are dispersed as a monad. They can be
described as isopolar symmetrical and based on SEM
and LM. The shape of the pollen grains in equatorial
view are suboblate, prolate-spheroidal, and oblate-
spheroidal, whilst their shape in polar view
aretriangular. The pollen grains are prolate-
spheroidal (R. conglomeratus), suboblate (R.
scutatus), and others are oblate-spheroidal. The polar
axis varies from 19.48-34.98 μm and the equatorial
diameters from 20.53-38.76 μm. Mesocolpium 20.43-
34.54 µm, apocolpium 4.14-6.63 µm. Their
dimensions are smaller in R. tuberosus subsp.
horizantalis and larger in R. ponticus (Tables 1-2;
Figures 1-2).
Apertures
Polygonum; In the investigated taxa, there are 3
taxa with pantoporate, 3-colpate (P. alpinum), and 3-
colporate (P. bistorta). Pore length (Plg) is 4.45-9.62
µm, and the pore width (Plt) is 4.52-5.93 µm. The
shape of the porus is circular. The colpus length (Clg)
is 24.00-32.53 µm, and the colpus width (Clt) is 2.37-
6.59. Mesocolpium (L) is measured as 18.49-38.14
µm, and apocolpium (t) is measured as 9.69-14.07 µm
(Table 1; Figures 1-2).
Rumex; In the investigated taxa, there are 3-
colporate rarely 4-colporate (R. acetocella, R.
ponticus, and R. crispus), others are 3-colporate. Pore
length (Plg) is 4.62-8.19 µm, and the pore width (Plt)
is 3.39-4.92 µm. The shape of the porus is circular.
The colpus length (Clg) is 14.21-28.38) µm and the
colpus width (Clt) is 0.46-1.51 µm (Table 1; Figures
1-2).
Exine, intine, and ornamentations
Polygonum; The exine ranges from 1.13 to 2.44
μm. Ectexine is thicker than endexine. The intine is
0.48-0.91 μm thick. Exine sculpturing showed two
distinct types of surface structures: microechinate-
perforate and reticulate free-standing columella. The
pollen species with the highest number of perforae at
25 µm2 is P. bistorta (175), the least species is P.
alpinum (31), and the species with the highest number
of spinules at 25 µm2 is P. bistorta (55.5), the least
species P. alpinum (21), the species with the highest
spinule width P. alpinum, the lowest species P.
bistorta, the highest number of reticulae at 25 µm2, P
salicifolium, the least It is observed that the species
with the highest lumina diameter was P. salicifolium,
the species with the least diameter is P.
laphothifolium, the species with the highest muri
thickness is P. anenastrium, and the species with the
least is P. laphothifolium. In addition, it is observed
that the perforae of the P. bistorta is larger in diameter
and less in number in the polar regions, while the
perforae in other regions are much smaller in
diameter and more in number (Table 1-2; Figures 1-
2). Rumex; The exine ranges from 0.58 to 2.15 μm.
Ectexine is thicker than endexine. The intine is 0.38-
0.60 μm thick. Exine sculpturing, showed one distinct
types of surface structures: microechinate-perforate.
The pollen species with the highest number of
Int. J. Pure Appl. Sci. 8(1);204-213 (2022)
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DOI: 10.29132/ijpas.1078670
166
perforae at 25 µm2 is R. tuberosus subsp. horizontalis
(121) the smallest species is R. acetosella (22.4), the
species with the most spinulae at 25 µm2 is R. alpinus
(207) the least species is R. scutatus (61.5), the
species with the highest spinulae width is R.
conglomeratus (1.91), the smallest species R.
scutatus (0.05), the longest spinulae length R.
tuberosus subsp. horizontalis the least species is R.
scutatus (0.27) (Table 1-2; Figures 1-2).
Table 1. Pollen morphological data for the Polygonum and Rumex taxa
Taxon
Pollen Type
P
E
P/E
Plg
Plt
Polygonum alpinum
3-colpate
36.14±1.88
37.02±2.53
Oblate-spheroidal
-
-
P. bistorta
3-colporate
52.49±6.19
37.40±3.83
Prolate
9.62±1.20
5.93±1.12
P. salicifolium
Pantoporate
35.76±4.47
35.83±4.19
Oblate-spheroidal
5.10±0.90
4.99±0.88
P. laphothifolium
Pantoporate
37.02±2.75
37.26±2.59
Oblate-spheroidal
4.55±0.87
4.55±0.81
P. arenastrum
Pantoporate
25.16±2.10
17.37±1.30
Prolate
4.45±1.08
4.52±1.13
Rumex acetocella
3-colporate, rarely
4-colporate
24.07±1.99
26.04±1.43
Oblate-spheroidal
5.61±1.22
3.67±0.63
R. scutatus
3-colporate
21.86±1.65
24.82±1.86
Suboblate
5.06±0.71
3.17±0.80
R. scutatus
(reddish flowers)
3-colporate
22.83±2.53
24.78±2.86
Oblate-spheroidal
5.74±0.78
2.49±0.47
R. scutatus (yellowish flowers)
3-colporate
22.37±3.33
24.20±3.32
Oblate-spheroidal
5.86±0.93
2.19±0.38
R. tuberosus subsp. horizantalis
3-colporate
19.48±1.44
20.53±1.90
Oblate-spheroidal
4.62±0.49
3.39±0.49
R. alpinus
3-colporate
24.85±2.52
25.56±2.66
Oblate-spheroidal
5.27±1.05
3.84±0.65
R. ponticus
3-colporate rarely
4-colporate
34.98±4.12
38.76±4.33
Oblate-spheroidal
8.19±1.88
4.92±0.78
R. crispus
3-colporate rarely 4-
colporate
31.58±3.04
33.52±3.29
Oblate-spheroidal
5.59±0.99
2.15±0.65
R. conglomeratus
3-colporate
22.74±2.01
23.39±1.70
Prolate-spheroidal
5.01±0.79
3.46±0.48
Table 1. (Continued) Pollen morphological data for the Polygonum and Rumex taxa
Taxon
Ex
In
L
t
Clg
Clt
Orn.
Polygonum
alpinum
1.98±0.22
0.54±0.17
38.14±1.66
14.07±1.66
24.00±2.45
6.59±0.97
Microechinate-Perforate
P. bistorta
1.87±0.19
0.53±0.15
33.15±2.66
12.30±1.65
32.53±3.29
2.37±0.36
Microechinate-Perforate
P. salicifolium
2.44±0.41
0.48±0.15
-
-
-
-
Free-standing columella
reticulate
P. laphothifolium
2.22±0.37
0.91±0.24
-
-
-
-
Free-standing columella
reticulate
P. arenastrum
1.13±0.19
0.61±0.11
-
-
-
-
Free-standing columella
retikulate
Rumex acetocella
1.02±0.38
0.60±0.12
25.60±1.93
4.76±0.56
21.11±2.30
1.51±0.21
Microechinate-Perforate
R. scutatus
0.79±0.21
0.51±0.160
23.05±2.44
5.33±1.04
18.63±1.98
0.88±0.17
Microechinate-Perforate
R. scutatus
(reddish flowers)
0.77±0.21
0.45±0.16
25.32±2.87
4.48±0.63
18.61±2.26
0.84±0.19
Microechinate-Perforate
R. scutatus
(yellowish flowers)
0.58±0.22
0.31±0.10
22.88±2.83
3.64±0.86
19.55±3.51
0.46±0.10
Microechinate-Perforate
R. tuberosus subsp.
horizantalis
0.82±0.20
0.45±0.166
20.43±2.15
4.14±0.63
14.21±1.10
0.68±0.17
Microechinate-Perforate
R. alpinus
1.31±0.20
0.51±0.11
26.31±3.24
5.23±0.95
22.06±2.84
1.32±0.24
Microechinate-Perforate
R. ponticus
1.89±0.23
0.45±0.18
34.54±3.56
6.63±1.13
28.38±4.33
0.62±0.17
Microechinate-Perforate
R. crispus
2.15±0.65
0.49±0.18
33.32±2.44
4.41±0.90
25.80±2.52
1.51±0.42
Microechinate-Perforate
R. conglomeratus
1.13±0.16
0.57±0.11
22.50±1.96
6.30±0.60
20.77±1.35
0.89±0.19
Microechinate-Perforate
Polar axis (P), equatorial axis (E), Pollen shape (P/E), pore length (Plg), pore width (Plt), colpus length (Clg), colpus width (Clt)
exine (Ex), mezocolpium (L), apocolpium (t), Intine (In), ornamentation (Orn.)
Table 2. SEM analysis results of studied Polygonum L. and Rumex L. taxa (µm)
In 25 2
Int. J. Pure Appl. Sci. 8(1);204-213 (2022)
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DOI: 10.29132/ijpas.1078670
167
Taxon
Perforae
diameter
Perforae
number
Spinule
number
Reticulae
number
Spinule
width
Spinule
length
Lumina
diameter
Muri
thickness
Polygonum alpinum
4.90
31
21
---
2.30
1.34
---
---
P. bistorta
11.25
60
55.50
---
1.30
1.05
---
---
P. salicifolium
---
---
---
1.40
---
---
5.50
0.75
P. laphothifolium
---
---
---
1.26
---
---
4.70
0.43
P. anenastrum
---
---
---
1.30
---
---
5.30
6.20
Rumex acetosella
---
22.40
105
---
1.20
1.05
---
---
R. scutatus
---
60
61.50
---
0.05
0.27
---
---
R. scutatus (reddish
flowers)
---
34.50
112
---
0.85
0.66
---
---
R. scutatus (yellowish
flowers)
---
104
198
---
0.85
0.58
---
---
R. tuberosus subsp.
horizantale
---
121
147
---
0.85
1.20
---
---
R. alpinus
---
120
207
---
1.81
1.05
---
---
R. ponticus
---
49
91.50
---
1.17
0.82
---
---
R. crispus
---
72.50
112
---
1.00
0.98
---
---
R. conglomeratus
---
111
134
---
1.91
0.76
---
---
Fig. 1. Pollen grains LM photos of studied taxa: (1-2) Polygonum alpinum, (3-4) P. bistorta, (5-6) P. salicifolium, (7-8)
P. laphothifolium, (9-10) P. arenastrum, (11-12) Rumex acetocella (Scale bar 10 )
Int. J. Pure Appl. Sci. 8(1);204-213 (2022)
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DOI: 10.29132/ijpas.1078670
168
Fig. 1. (Continued) (13-14) Rumex scutatus, (15-16) R. scutatus (reddish flowers), (17-18) R. scutatus (yellowish
flowers), (19-20) R. tuberosus subsp. horizantalis, (21-22) R. alpinus, (23-24) R. ponticus, (25-26) R. crispus, (27-28)
R. conglomeratus (Scale bar 10 ).
Fig. 2. Pollen grains SEM photos of studied taxa: (1-2) Polygonum alpinum, (3-4) P. bistorta, (5-6) P. salicifolium, (7-
8) P. laphothifolium, (9-10) P. arenastrum, (11-12) Rumex acetocella
Int. J. Pure Appl. Sci. 8(1);204-213 (2022)
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DOI: 10.29132/ijpas.1078670
169
Fig. 2. (Continued) (13-14) Rumex scutatus, (15-16) R. scutatus (reddish flowers), (17-18) R. scutatus (yellowish
flowers), (19-20) R. tuberosus subsp. horizantalis, (21-22) R. alpinus, (23-24) R. ponticus, (25-26) R. crispus, (27-28)
R. conglomeratus
DISCUSSION
Pollen morphology of the Polygonaceae has
been proven eurypalynous family and contributed to
the infrafamilial systematics (Wodehouse 1931;
Hedberg 1946; Erdtman 1966; Norwicke and Skvarla
1977). Pollen grains characteristics of 12 taxa from
Polygonum, Rumex, and two variations of Rumex
scutatus are summarised in Tables 1-2 and are shown
in Figs. 1-2. Pollen grains are monad, 3-colporate,
rarely 4-colporate, and 3-colparate (tricolpate), it has
also been observed that there are taxa that are
periporate (pantoporate). Pollen shapes of Polygonum
were observed to be prolate and oblate-spheroidal,
pollen shapes of Rumex genera were oblate-
spheroidal, prolate-spheroidal, and suboblate, SEM
photographs showed pollen with prolate and
subprolate shape as well as prolate-spheroidal shape.
In taxa that have pore as aperture, pantoporate, pori
are generally round, their borders are clear, their
arrangement is regular, colpi are narrow and long and
their ends are pointed. It was observed that the exine
was thicker than the intine in the examined taxa.
It has been observed that there are differences
between Rumex scutatus, which we studied, and R.
scutatus, which has two different variations, with
yellowish flowers and R. scutatus with reddish
flowers. R. scutatus collected from Bitlis Kamboz
Mountain at an altitude of 1400-1600 m was
yellowish, the pollen shape was suboblate (0.87) in
the examination made under IM, the perforae number
was 60 at 25 µm2, the spinule number was 61.5, and
the 2100 m altitude Van Artus Mountain. The pollen
shapes of R. scutatus yellowish flowers and R.
scutatus reddish flowers variations collected from the
same locality were oblate-spheroidal (0.92), and the
perforae number was 34.5 in R. scutatus reddish
flowers in 25 µm2, in R. scutatus yellowish flowers
104 in R. scutatus yellowish flowers in the
Int. J. Pure Appl. Sci. 8(1);204-213 (2022)
Research article
DOI: 10.29132/ijpas.1078670
170
observation made from the same locality. As a result,
at 25 µm2, the spinule number was measured as 112
in R. scutatus with reddish flowers and 198 in R.
scutatus with yellowish flowers. Some palynological
differences were observed as the altitude increased.
With increasing altitude, the spinule number, spinule
width and spinule length of R. scutatus reddish
flowers and R. scutatus yellowish flowers variations
increased significantly observed to be excessive.
Palynologically, Polygonaceae is considered the
eurypalynous family (Wodehouse 1931; Hedberg
1946; Nowice and Skvarla, 1977), and its distinct
variations have great systematic potential, especially
at the genus level (Nowicke and Skvarla, 1977).
Differences in the size and surface structure of their
pollen grains are useful for distinguishing
Polygonaceae species. Exine and its ornamentation
make pollen, different genera, and even species
highly distinguishable structures (Moore and Webb,
1978).
Soleimani et al. (2014) stated that the
palynological findings in the species belonging to
Rumex genera in Iran, in SEM, pollen grains have
panporate, tricolporate, tetracolporate, granulate,
microechinate and punctate. They found the P/E
value of (1.12) R. crispus, (1.32) R. tuberosus, and
(0.86) R. conglomeratus. In our analysis of the
species, we found spheroidal, In our examination; R.
crispus, R. tuberosus subsp horizontalis are
spheroidal, R. conglomeratus is prolate-spheroidal,
and all three pollen species were tricolporate.
El Naggar and El Huessini (2001) observed 20
species belonging to seven genera belonging to the
Polygonaceae family in Egypt with light microscope
and SEM. They thought that the shape, size, external
appearance, and differences in exine ornamentation
of the pollen helped them to distinguish between
different pollen types. As a result of their studies, they
observed that the shapes of pollen belonging to
Atraphaxis type, Calligonum-Oxygonum type,
Persicaria type, Polygonum type and Rumex-Emex
types are prolate and spheroidal, apertures are
tricolporate and pantoporate, ornamentation;
reticulate, scabrate and perforate, microreticulate-
foveolate, they observed that the colpus is narrow and
long. El Naggar and El Huessini (2001) observed in
their study in Egypt that the polar axis and equatorial
axis lengths of R. crispus varied between 22.5-25 µm.
They observed that R. crispus is spheroidal,
tricolporate, ornamentation microreticulate-
foveolate, and they also stated that R. crispus belongs
to Rumex-Emex pollen type. As a result of our study,
it was observed that the polar axis and equatorial axis
length of R. crispus were 31.58-33.52 µm, spheroidal
and tricolporate, and the ornamentation was
microechinate-perforate. El Naggar and El Huessini
(2001), in their observations on the genus Polygonum,
determined that the pollen shapes are tricolporate,
prolate, isopolar, and the ornamentation is scabrate or
microechinate.
Leeuwen et al. (1988), conducted a detailed
study of the Polygonaceae family in Northwest
Europe, as a result of which P. arenastrum type was
assigned to P. aviculare type, P. bistorta to P. bistorta
type, P. lapathifolium to P. persicaria type, Rumex
crispus, R. conglomaratus, R. scutatus and R.
acetosella pollen species were determined to belong
to the R. acetosa type.
Yasmin et al. (2010) investigated the pollen
morphology of 7 species belonging to Rumex genus
in Pakistan with light microscopy (IM) and scanning
electron microscope (SEM) and stated that the genus
is eurypalynous. Pollen grains are radial and isopolar
symmetrical, generally 3-4 colporate, the P/E ratio
varies between 1.01-1.24, the polar view is circular,
whilst the shape of the pollen grains in equatorial
view have different variations from spheroidal,
prolate-spheroidal, subprolate, prolate to mild to
rhomboidal appearance. they observed three different
pollen types based on ornamentation; Chalepensis
type, Dentatus type, and Acetosa type. They revealed
that under SEM, ornamentation is granulate in some
species, and perforate-punctate and reticulate in some
species. As a result of our investigations on seven
species belonging to the Rumex genus; We observed
that the polar axis length of the species is 19.48-34.98
μm, the equatorial axis length is 20.53-38.76 μm, the
P/E ratio varies between 0.87-0.97, the colpus is
generally narrow and long, the exine thickness varies
between 0.58-2.15, and the ornamentations are
microechinate-perforate.
Raycheva et al. (2021), described a new species
of Rumex kerneri Borbás, belonging to the
Polygonaceae family in Bulgaria. They observed
microechinate-perforate ornamentation of 3-4
colpate, pollen diameter 38.55±2.28 μm. They also
stated that the structure of the sporoderm did not show
any differences.
Yasmin et al. (2010), in their study under SEM,
defined 4 different types as Patulum type, Plebijum
Int. J. Pure Appl. Sci. 8(1);204-213 (2022)
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DOI: 10.29132/ijpas.1078670
171
type, Cognatum type and Avicularia type belonging
to Polygonum genus according to the differences in
exine ornamentation. They observed that the exine
ornamentation of P. arenastrumhas granulate,
tricolporate, spheroidal, prolate-spheroidal, circular,
exine thickness was 3.5 µm, polar axis length 22-25
µm, and equatorial axis length changed between 21.6-
23 µm in SEM and LM. they also stated that P.
arenastrum belonged to the Plebijum type from the
types they defined. As a result of our investigations,
P. arenastrum pantoporate is prolate, exine thickness
is 1.13 µm, intine thickness is 0.61 µm, polar axis x
equatorial axis is 25.16 x 17.37±1.3 µm, and its
ornamentation is free-standing columella reticulate
we observed.
Yurtseva et al. (2014), in their study, found that
pollen belonging to the Atraphaxis L. genus
belonging to Polygonaceae were morphologically
similar to Polygonum. The pollen grains are
tricolporate, prolate and subprolate. In our study
Polygonum is prolate-spheroidal, prolate,
microechinate, some of them do not have colpus,
there is a pore, the tricolporate structure, reticulate-
perforate being morphologically similar to the
Atraphaxis and Polygonum genera.
In the study (Anonim2021a)with P. bistorta,
under the light microscope (IM); pollen size:
measured as 41-50 μm, pollen type tricolporate,
isopolar, circular in shape, observed under the light
microscope that the ornamentation is reticulate. In our
studies, the polar axis x equatorial axis length of P.
bistorta is 52.49 x 37.40 μm, pollen shape is observed
as prolate, ornamentation as microechinate-perforate.
Keskin et al. (2021), conducted a study on the
morphology of the pollen Polygonum istanbulicum
Keskin. They determined that the pollens of the genus
Polygonum are generally tricolporate or rarely 6-
colporate, prolate, and rarely prolate-spheroidal, the
polar views of the pollen grains is circular or
triangular and the morphological characteristics of P.
istanbulicum, tricolporate and P/E ratio is 1.76, with
these features Avicularia type.
Kong et al. (2021), 19 taxa of the genus
Persicaria and 4 taxa of the genus Koenigia from the
Cephalophilon section of Polygonaceae were
investigated. In the study conducted with Persicaria
taxa, they observed that the polar diameters ranged
from 13.44–51.16 μm on average and that the
majority of the pollens belonging to the P.
cephalophilon type were tricolpate pollens together
with other pantoporate or 9-colpate. They stated that
Persicaria criopolitana, P. palmata, Koenigia
nepalensis, K. pilosa, and K. islandica pantoporate
and 9-colpate pollen is only found in K. delicatula.
Reticulate, microechinate-reticulate, and
microechinate ornamentation types are defined. We
think that P. salicifolium, P. laphothifolium, and P.
anenastrium species belonging to Polygonum that we
studied are similar to those of Kong et al. 2021.
We think that our study will contribute to plant
systematics and other fields of palynology by
revealing the morphological features of The pollen
morphologies of 14 samples in total, 12 taxa from
Polygonum, Rumex (Polygonaceae), and two
variations of Rumex scutatus.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We wish to thank the Curators of Herbaria GAZI
and Bitlis Eren University Herbaria, who allowed us
to study their Polygonum and Rumex specimens, to
Dr. Yüksel Akınay and Dr. Ihsan Nuri Akkuş
(Science Application and Research Center,
University of Yuzuncuyil, Van) who is a helper to
take of electron photographs of pollen grains surface.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The Author report no conflict of interest relevant
to this article
RESEARCH AND PUBLICATION ETHICS
STATEMENT
The author declares that this study complies with
research and publication ethics.
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