POLLEN AND ACHENE MORPHOLOGY OF TARAXACUM F.H. WIGG. (ASTERACEAE) SPECIES DISTRIBUTED AROUND BURSA

Abstract

In this study, we extensively examined the pollen morphology and some important morphological characteristics of Taraxacum Wiggers (Asteraceae) species which have a wide distribution in and around Bursa. There are 7 Taraxacum species distributed in Bursa and its vicinity, 2 of which are endemic. Taxons are Taraxacum serotinum (Waldst & Kit) Poiret, Taraxacum hyberniforme van Soest, Taraxacum minimum Heldr. ex Nyman, Taraxacum aznavourii van Soest, Taraxacum buttleri van Soest, Taraxacum pseudobrachyglossum van Soest and Taraxacum turcicum van Soest. According to the palynological studies, T. turcicum pollens are moderate monad, their pollen type is three-zonocolporate rarely tetra-zonocolporate, pollen shape is subprolate, prolate-spheroidal, oblat-spheroidal and exine ornamentation is defined as spinulate. T. pseudobrachyglossum pollens are medium sized monad, pollen type is three-zonocolporate, pollen shape is subprolate, prolate-spheroidal, oblat-spheroidal; exine ornamentation is spinulate; spine and spinule. T. serotinum pollens are medium sized monad, pollen type is three-zonocolporate rarely tetra-zonocolporate, pollen shape is prolate-spheroidal, oblat-spheroidal; exine ornamentation is spinulate; spine and spinule. T. minimum pollens are medium sized monad, pollen type is three-zonocolporate, pollen shape is suboblate, prolate-spheroidal, oblat-spheroidal; exine ornamentation is spinulate; spine and spinule. T.hyberniforme pollens are medium sized monad, pollen type is three-zonocolporate, pollen shape is prolate-spheroidal, oblat-spheroidal; exine ornamentation is spinulate; spine and spinule. T. aznavourii pollens are medium sized monad, pollen type is three-zonocolporate, pollen shape is prolate-spheroidal, oblat-spheroidal; exine ornamentation is spinulate; spine and spinule. T.buttleri pollens are medium sized monad, pollen type is three-zonocolporate, pollen shape is suboblate, prolate-spheroidal, oblat-spheroidal, subprolate; exine ornamentation is spinulate; spine and spinule.