Palynological study on the family pedaliaceae in Sudan

Maha A. Y. Kordofani and Manal

Abstract

The family Pedaliaceae is represented in Sudan by seven species belonging to four genera (Ceratotheca End., Rogeria J.Gay, Pterodiscus Hook and Sesamum L.). This study investigated the degree of evolutionary advancement for this economically and medicinally important family using palynological studies. Pollen grains are stephanocolpate,radially symmetrical, prolate to spheroidal. Aperture details are nearly uniform in all the species investigated .Colpi are long with broad ends. The exine for all the studied species has an interesting more or less similar structures & sculptures, these similarities may verify their relations at their generic level. This study confirmed the advancement of the Pedaliaceae and the importance of palynological characters in plant taxonomy. Also, close generic and specific relationships and strong resemblances were found between the studied species.