Palynological study of the genus Consolida (Ranunculaceae) in Iran

The pollen grains of 34 populations, representing 16 species of Consolida (DC.) Gray, have been examined by LM and SEM. The polar axis (P), equatorial diameter (E), P/E ratio and exine patterns were measured. The pollen grains were found out to be 3-zonocolpate, euprolate to subprolate. The shortest polar axis to belong to C. tehranica (Boiss.) Rech.f. and the longest to belong to C. trigonelloides (Boiss.) Munz (28.15-37.3 μm); the shortest equatorial axis to belong to C. stocksiana (Boiss.) Nevski. and the longest to C. orientalis Schrödinger (17.5-25.2 μm). Based on exine ornamentation observed under SEM, two types of pollen grains were recognized. Type I, exine distinctly thickened at poles with broad colpi and stronglymicro-echinate sculpturing, and type II, with exine obtuse at poles, narrow colpi and weekly micro-echinate sculpturing. Pictures of all species and characteristics of pollen grain structure were presented. Our results showed that pollen shape and sculpturing were diagnostic characters for distinguishing the species. Although they did not suffice enough to resolve taxonomic conflicts in the genus, our results confirmed embed of Aconitella in Consolida due to the occurrence of Aconitella species in two pollen groups.