OBJECTIVETo study the pollen morphology of ten species of Achillea.

METHODThe pollen morphology of ten species of Achillea was examined with LM and SEM.

RESULTThe pollen grains were usually 3-colporate, subspheroidal. The exine ornamentation consisted of verrucate, spinulate and foveolate. But some differences in size, colpae and exine ornamentation were found.

CONCLUSIONThe slight differences of the pollen morphology are useful to some extent for the classification of the ten species of Achillea.

Achillea ; classification ; ultrastructure ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Pollen ; ultrastructure ; Species Specificity

OBJECTIVETo study the genetic diversity of pollen grains morphologies of Pinellia ternata in different populations and supply palynological evidences for further research.

METHODPollen exine ultrastructure were compared for 18 populations growing under in the same environment by means of scanning electron microscope(SEM).

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONBig difference was found in pollen size among populations of P. ternata: the mean value of seventeen populations of P. ternata with bulbils was 17.42 microm x 14.86 microm, the biggest of populations originated from Jangyan city is 20.43 micromx 18.16 microm, but the least originated from Peixian County is only 15.23 microm x 12.82 microm; the size of populations without bulbils originated from Linguo Temple side was only 13.23 microm x 11.98 microm and far less than of all populations with bulbils. The pollen surface of all populations sticks out with spines, varying in size and density, the base and top part of spinules was different among populations. The pollen grains patterns of germination apertures of P. ternata was likely to have colpate cover.

China ; Genetic Variation ; Pinellia ; genetics ; ultrastructure ; Plants, Medicinal ; genetics ; ultrastructure ; Pollen ; genetics ; ultrastructure

Palynology, one science of plant's pollen and spores, has been proven to be a new frontier discipline. Because of the characteristics of pollen and spores, such as small size, light weight, large amount, and difficult to be found, they can leave physical evidence and provide new clues to solve a case. Therefore palynology has a good prospect for practical application in forensic medicine. The paper intends to analyze the advantage and limitation of palynology in forensic medicine by reviewing its general characteristics, classification, morphology, and disseminating circadian rhythm. We hope to provide some reference to apply palynology in forensic medicine.
Botany ; Clothing ; Ecosystem ; Expert Testimony ; Forensic Medicine/methods* ; Humans ; Pollen/ultrastructure* ; Spores

OBJECTIVETo study the pollen morphological characteristics, viability test and storage character of the endangered plant Atractylodes lancea.

METHODPollen grains morphologies of A. lancea were observed by scanning electron microscope. The optimum culture medium and viability determination methods were screened out by liquid culture and dyeing methods, and then the pollen germination capacities in different storage conditions were detected.

RESULTThe pollen grains are quasi-spherical, with tricolpate and spinous sculpture. The optimal culture medium was ME3 + 16% PEG4000 + 10% sucrose, in which the pollen germination capacity reached to 62.1%, while the other three dyeing methods were not able to be applied to detecting the pollen viability of A. lancea. The low storage temperature could significantly prolong the storage time of pollen of A. lancea. At -80 degrees C, pollen viability could be maintained for 60 days.

CONCLUSIONLiquid culture method is suitable for the determination of pollen germination of A. lancea, and the rate of pollen germination is closely related to the storage time and temperature. At last, this study provides a foundation for the artificial pollination and cultivating in wildness of A. lancea.

Atractylodes ; drug effects ; growth & development ; physiology ; ultrastructure ; Endangered Species ; Germination ; drug effects ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Plants, Medicinal ; drug effects ; growth & development ; physiology ; ultrastructure ; Pollen ; drug effects ; growth & development ; physiology ; ultrastructure ; Polyethylene Glycols ; pharmacology