Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A palynological study of the genus Nepeta L. (Lamiaceae)

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Plant Systematics and Evolution Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The pollen morphology of forty taxa of the genus Nepeta L. was studied and documented in detail using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron (SEM) microscopy in this study. Nepeta L. pollen grains are small to large (P = 18.64–63.46 μm, E = 15.62–46.33 μm), suboblate to perprolate (P/E = 0.86–2.09) in shape and hexacolpate (very rarely tetracolpate) with granular membranes. Alternate position of colpi occurs in six Nepeta taxa, N. nuda ssp. glandulifera, N. concolor, N. crinita, N. congesta var. cryptantha, N. stricta var. stricta and N. sibthorpii ssp. tumeniana. In examinations of exine ornamentation with SEM, two types of pollen grains were recognized: (1) type I, with microreticulate sculpture; and (2) type II with bireticulate sculpture, type I and II to be divided into two and five subtypes, respectively. In the two taxa with microreticulate pattern, N. pilinux and N. sulfuriflora, a tendency towards a bireticulum could be recognized due to traces of secondary tectal connections. The bireticulate exine ornamentation is characterized with varying characteristics of the primary muri and secondary reticulum. Pollen morphology within the genus is compared with infrageneric relationships.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Figs. 2–29
Figs. 30–57
Figs. 58–85
Figs. 86–113
Figs. 114–141
Figs. 142–161
Figs. 162–171
Figs. 172–180
Fig. 181
Fig. 182

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abu-Asab MS, Cantino PD (1992) Pollen morphology in the subfamily Lamioideae (Labiatae) and its phylogenetic implications. In: Harley RM, Reynolds T (eds) Advances in Labiatae science. Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, London, pp 97–112

    Google Scholar 

  • Abu-Asab MS, Cantino PD (1994) Systematic implications of pollen morphology in subfamilies Lamioideae and Pogostemonoideae (Labiatae). Ann Missouri Bot Gard 81:653–686

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Azizian DZ, Jamzad Z, Serpooshan F (2001) Pollen morphology and taxonomy of the genus Nepeta sect. Psilonepeta (Labiatae) in Iran. Iran J Bot 9(1):19–26

    Google Scholar 

  • Baser KHC, Kirimer N, Kurkcuoglu M, Demirci B (2000) Essential oil of Nepeta species growing in Turkey. Chem Nat Compd 36(4):356–359

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Boissier E (1879) Flora orientalis, vol 4(2). Geneve, pp 629–670

  • Budantsev AL (1997) Fruit morphology, anatomy and taxonomy of tribe Nepeteae (Lamiaceae). Edinburgh J Bot 54(2):183–216

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cantino PD, Sanders RW (1986) Subfamilial classification of Labiatae. Syst Bot 11:163–185

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cantino PD, Harley RM, Wagstaff SJ (1992) Genera of Lamiaceae: status and classification. In: Harley RM, Reynolds T (eds) Advances in Labiatae science. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London, pp 511–523

    Google Scholar 

  • Celenk S, Tarimcilar G, Bicakci A, Kaynak G, Malyer H (2008) A palynological study of Mentha L. Bot J Linn Soc 157:141–154

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dirmenci T (2003) Taxonomic investigations on Nepeta L. (Lamiaceae) species growing in Turkey. Ph.D. thesis, Univ Balikesir, Turkey

  • Dirmenci T (2005) A new subspecies of Nepeta (Lamiaceae) from Turkey. Bot J Linn Soc 147:229–233

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Erdtman G (1945) Pollen morphology and plant taxonomy. IV. Labiatae, Verbenaceae, and Aviceniaceae. Svensk Bot Tidskr 39:279–285

    Google Scholar 

  • Erdtman G (1960) The acetolysis method: a revised description. Svensk Bot Tidskr 54:561–564

    Google Scholar 

  • Faegri K, Iversen J (1975) Textbook of pollen analysis. Hafner Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Harley MM (1992) The potential value of pollen morphology as an additional taxonomic character in subtribe Ociminae (Ocimeae: Nepetoideae: Labiatae). In: Harley RM, Reynolds T (eds) Advances in Labiate science. Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, London, pp 125–138

    Google Scholar 

  • Harley MM, Paton A, Harley RM, Cade PG (1992) Pollen morphological studies in tribe Ocimeae (Nepetoideae: Labiatae): I. Ocimum L. Grana 31:161–176

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hedge L, Lamond J (1982) Flora of Turkey and East Aegean islands, vol 7. Edinb. Univ. Press, Edinburgh, pp 264–288

    Google Scholar 

  • Hedge L (1986) Lamiaceae of South-West Asia: diversity, distribution and endemism. In: Proceeding of the Royal Society, 89b, Edinburgh, pp 23–25

  • Husain SZ, Heywood VH (1982) Pollen morphology of the genus Origanum L. and allied genera. In: Margaris N, Koedam A, Vokou D (eds) Aromatic plants: basic and applied aspects. Martinus Nijhof, The Hague, pp 39–56

  • Jamzad Z, Harley MM, Ingrouille M, Simmonds MSJ, Jalili A (2000) Pollen exine and nutlet surface morphology of the annual species of Nepeta L. (Lamiaceae) in Iran. In: Harley MM, Morton GM, Blackmore S (eds) Pollen and spores: morphology and biology. Royal Botanic Garden, Kew, London, pp 385–397

    Google Scholar 

  • Jamzad Z, Ingrouille M, Simmonds MSJ (2003a) Three new species of Nepeta (Lamiaceae) from Iran. Taxon 52:93–98

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jamzad Z, Chase WM, Ingrouille M, Simmonds MSJ, Jalili A (2003b) Phylogenetic relationship in Nepeta L. (Lamiaceae) and related genera based on its sequence data. Taxon 52:21–32

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moon HK, Hong SP (2003) Pollen morphology of the genus Lycopus (Lamiaceae). Ann Bot Fenn 40:191–198

    Google Scholar 

  • Moon HK, Vinckier S, Smets E, Huysmans S (2008) Comparative pollen morphology and ultrastructure of Menthae subtribe Nepetinae (Lamiaceae). Rev Palaeobot Palynol 149:174–186

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morales-Valverde R (1987) El genero Thymbra L. (Labiatae). Anales Jard Bot Madr 44:349–380

    Google Scholar 

  • Morales-Valverde R (1990) El genero Micromeria Bentham (Labiatae) En La Peninsula Iberica Islas Baleares. Anales Jard Bot Madr 48:131–156

    Google Scholar 

  • Newall CA, Anderson LA, Phillipson JD (1996) Herbal medicines, a guide for health-care professionals. The Pharmaceutical Press, London, p 154

    Google Scholar 

  • Paton AJ, Harley MR, Harley MM, Weeks S (1994) A revision of Endostemon (Labiatae). Kew Bull 49(4):673–716

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Perveen A, Qaiser M (2003) Pollen morphology of the family Labiatae from Pakistan. Pak J Bot 35(5):671–693

    Google Scholar 

  • Pojarkova AI (1954) Nepeta L.: 191–293. In: Shishkin BK (ed) Flora of the USSR, vol 20. Academy Science of the USSR, Moskva-Leningrad

    Google Scholar 

  • Pozhidaev A (1992) The origin of three- and sixcolpate pollen grains in the Lamiaceae. Grana 31:49–52

    Google Scholar 

  • Punt W, Hoen PP, Blackmore S, Nilsson S, Le Thomas A (2007) Glossary of pollen and spore terminology. Rev Palaeobot Palynol 143:1–81

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ranjbari HF, Nejadi HD, Jamzad Z (2004) Palynological study of Section Cataria of genus Nepeta In Iran. In: The joint agriculture and natural resources symposium, Tabriz-Ganja, May 14–16, 2004

  • Rechinger KH (1982) Flora Iranica, Akademische Druck-U. Verlagsanstalt, Graz

    Google Scholar 

  • Sammataro D, Avitabile A (1998) The Beekeper’s handbook. Comstock Publishing Associates, Ithaca, p 8

    Google Scholar 

  • Schols P, Dessein S, D’Hondt C, Huysmans S, Smets E (2002) Carnoy: a new digital measurement tool for palynology. Grana 41:124–126

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shishkin B (1976) Flora of the Ussr, Izdatel’stvo Akademii Nauk Ussr, Moskva-Leningrad (1954) Translated from Russian Israel program for scientific translations. Jerusalem 21:427–449

    Google Scholar 

  • Ubera JL (1982) Estudio palinologico del genero Nepeta L. en la Peninsula Iberica. Macaroriesica 8–9:215–230

    Google Scholar 

  • Wagstaff S (1992) A phylogenetic interpretation of pollen morphology in Tribe Mentheae (Labiatae). In: Harley RM, Reynolds T (eds) Advances in Labiatae science. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London, pp 113–124

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This study is the Ph.D. thesis of the first author and supported by the Uludag University Research Foundation Centre (project number: 2001/62).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Art and Science Faculty, Biology Department, Uludag University, 16059, Gorukle, Bursa, Turkey

    Sevcan Celenk, Hulusi Malyer & Adem Bicakci

  2. Necatibey Education Faculty, Department of Biology Education, Balikesir University, Balikesir, Turkey

    Tuncay Dirmenci

Authors
  1. Sevcan Celenk
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Tuncay Dirmenci
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Hulusi Malyer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Adem Bicakci
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sevcan Celenk.

Appendix

Appendix

Voucher specimens of the genus Nepeta L. which are examined in the present study

Species

Voucher information

N. aristata Boiss. et Kotschy ex Boiss.

Kesis Mountain-Malatya, 17.07.2002. Dirmenci 24333

N. baytopii Hedge and Lamond

Diyarbakir, 16.07.2001. Dirmenci 24348

N. betonisifolia C. A. Meyer

Erzurum, 16.06.2002. Yildiz and Dirmenci 24321

N. cadmea Boiss.

Honaz Mountain-Denizli, 30.06.1999. Dirmenci 24286

N. caesarea Boiss.

Icel, 06.08.2002. Yildiz and Dirmenci 24310

N. cataria L.

Malatya, 11.08.2001. Dirmenci 24296

N. cilicia Boiss.

Kahramanmaraş, 15.07.2002. Dirmenci 24327

N. concolor Boiss. and Heldr.

Geyik mountain-Antalya, 10.08.2002. Dirmenci 24329

N. conferta Hedge and Lamond

Ciglikara Forest-Antalya, 29.06.2000. Dirmenci 24295

N. congesta Fisch. et Mey. var. cryptantha (Boiss.) Hedge and Lamond

Van, 08.06.2001. Dirmenci 24352

N. congesta Fisch. et Mey. var. congesta Fisch. and Mey.

Eskisehir, 31.05.2002. Yildiz and Dirmenci 24351

N. crinita Montbret and Aucher ex Bentham

Kube Mountain-Malatya, 18.07.2002. Dirmenci 24312

N. fissa C.A. Meyer

Sivas, 23.07.2002. Yildiz and Dirmenci 24341

N. flavida Hub.-Mor

Osmaniye, 15.07.2002. Dirmenci 24292

N. glomerata Montbret et Aucher ex Bentham

Antalya, 13.07.2002. Dirmenci 24330

N. heliotropifolia Lam. var. heliotropifolia Lam.

Kars, 13.06.2002. Dirmenci 24356

N. humilis Benth.

Hakkari, 09.06.2002. Dirmenci 24358

N. isaurica Boiss. and Heldr

Geyik Mountain-Antalya, 22.07.1999. Yildiz and Dirmenci 24308

N. italica L

Balikesir, 30.05.2001. Dirmenci 24280

N. lamiifolia Wild

Suphan Mountain-Bitlis, 23.07.2001. Dirmenci 24339

N. macrosiphon Boiss.

Kambos Mountain-Bitlis, 30.07.2001. Dirmenci 24347

N. meyeri Bentham

Erzurum, 06.06.2001. Dirmenci 24349

N. nuda L. ssp. albiflora (Boiss.) Gams

Kars, 22.07.2000. Yildiz and Dirmenci 24301

N. nuda L. ssp. nuda L.

Balikesir, 05.07.2000. Dirmenci 24298

N. nuda L. ssp. glandulifera Hub.-Mor and Davis

Icel, 10.07.2001. Dirmenci 24303

N. nuda L. ssp. lydiae Davis

Denizli, 28.06.1999. Dirmenci 24304

N. obtusicrena Boiss. et Kotschy ex Hedge

Bitlis, 18.07.2001. Dirmenci, 24346

N. phyllochlamys P. H. Davis

Antalya, 02.06.2002. Yildiz and Dirmenci 24306

N. pilinux P. H. Davis

Antalya, 10.08.2002. Dirmenci 2429

N. pilinux P. H. Davis

Antalya, 10.08.2002. Dirmenci 24294

N. racemosa Lam.

Kars, 12.06.2002. Dirmenci 24314

N. sibthorpii subsp. tumeniana B. Yildiz and T. Dirmenci

Kaz Mountain-Balikesir, 15.07.2003. Dirmenci 24366

N. sorgerae Hedge and Lamond

Malatya, 18.07.2002. Dirmenci 24313

N. stenantha Kotschy and Boiss. ex Boiss.

Erzurum, 30.07.2001. Dirmenci 24323

N. stricta (Banks and Sol.) Hedge and Lamond var. curvidens (Boiss and Bal) Hedge and Lamond

Agri, without date. Dirmenci 24355

N. stricta (Banks and Sol.) Hedge and Lamond var. stricta (Banks and Sol.) Hedge and Lamond

Eskisehir, 31.05.2002. Yildiz and Dirmenci 24354

N. sulfuriflora P. H. Davis

Antalya, 07.07.2000. Dirmenci 24290

N. supina Steven

Buyuk Agri Mountain-Igdir, 01.08.2002. Dirmenci 24326

N. trachonitica Post

Hakkari, 19.6.2004. Dirmenci 24324

N. transcaucasica Grossh.

Agri, 06.06.2001. Dirmenci 24316

N. viscida Boiss.

Balikesir, 05.07.2000. Dirmenci 24309

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Celenk, S., Dirmenci, T., Malyer, H. et al. A palynological study of the genus Nepeta L. (Lamiaceae). Plant Syst Evol 276, 105–123 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00606-008-0062-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00606-008-0062-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation