Abstract.
Pollen and tapetal characters in the mycoheterotrophic monocot family Triuridaceae are here compared with those of their putative relatives, including the lilioid order Pandanales (Pandanaceae, Cyclanthaceae, Velloziaceae and Stemonaceae), with which Triuridaceae have recently been associated following analyses of molecular data. Triuridaceae have small, inaperturate (functionally monoaperturate) pollen grains with the exine reduced to gemmae which have distinctive protruberances or spines. Microsporogenesis is of the successive type. Some genera have a plasmodial tapetum. Orbicules are absent. These characters are compatible with a relationship with Pandanaceae, but a relationship with Alismatales, as suggested by earlier authors, cannot be excluded.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received June 18, 2002; accepted July 22, 2002 Published online: November 22, 2002
Address of the authors: Carol A. Furness (e-mail: c.furness@rbgkew.org.uk), Paula J. Rudall and Alison Eastman, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AB, UK.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Furness, C., Rudall, P. & Eastman, A. Contribution of pollen and tapetal characters to the systematics of Triuridaceae. Plant Syst. Evol. 235, 209–218 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00606-002-0232-y
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00606-002-0232-y