Palynological studies of some medicinal plants from Margallah Hills, Islamabad

ABSTRACT

The present research work is confined to the palynological studies of some selected medicinal plants of Margallah hills Islamabad, Research work was conducted in Plant Taxonomy Lab of Quaid-i-Azam University during the year 2004 to 2005. Frequent trips were arranged to collect fresh plant specimens from different locallties of lower Margallah hills. 17 plant species belonging to 7 genera and 15 families were studied. Pollen fertility of 17 plants from Margallah hills ranges from 2-100%. Higher pollen fertility [100%] is of Erigeron conyzanthus, Indigofera iinifolia and Verbena officinale, Partiulaca grandiflora and Digera muricata [4%, 2%] have lowest percentage of pollen fertility. Pollen size of selected plants ranges from 20-90 micro m in size. All pollen is monad, and pollen shape ranges from obovate spheroidal to prolate spheroidal. Exine surface is smooth except Ipomoea carnea, Boerhaavia procumbens, Portulaca grandiflora which have echinulate exine surface. It is concluded from the study carried out that these information about pollen characteristics in relative taxa were found to be useful or correct identification and future research in respective lipids