ISSN 2169-303X
International Journal of Medicinal Plants Research ISSN: 2169-303X Vol. 2 (9), pp. 254-260, December, 2013. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Ultrastructure of the pollen grains in the family Bignoniaceae Juss. in Nigeria
G.E.Ugbabe1*, A.E. Ayodele2, S.J. Kalpana3 and J.I. Okogun1
1Medicinal Plant Research and Traditional Medicine (MPR & TM), Department National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), Idu-Industrial Area, P.M.B 21, Garki-Abuja, Nigeria.
2Botany and Microbiology Department, University of Ibadan. Ibadan, Nigeria.
3Biotechnology Department, Sinhgad College of Engineering, Vadgaon (Budruk) Pune – 411 041 India.
*Corresponding author. E-mail:[email protected]
Accepted 03 July, 2013
Abstract
Pollen morphology of eight species belonging to the Bignoniaceae in Nigeria was described using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The species studied were Crescentia cujete Linn., Jacaranda mimosifolia D.Don., Kigelia africana (Lam) Benth., Markhamia tomentosa (Benth) K. Schum., Newbouldia laevis (P. Beauv.) Seemann ex Bureau., Spathodea campanulata P. Beauv., Stereospermum acuminatissimum Cham. and Tecoma stans. Reticulate exine ornamentation were observed in all pollen grains of the species studied. The shapes of most of the pollen grains were circular except from those of J. mimosifolia and T.stans which were elliptic. The pollen grains of all species examined were tricolpate (except from those of C. cujete which were non-aperturate) isopolar with long colpi and a reticulate tectum. The pollen grains of the species studied were radially symmetrical, isopolar or apolar. The general shapes were subspheroidal to prolate. The AMB is rounded to triangular. The apertures are usually three in number, always equatorially placed. This study points to a reclassification of the Bignoniaceae.
Key words: Scanning electron microscopy, bignoniaceae, pollen grains, ultrastructure, bignoniaceae juss.