PALYNOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE GENUS CARDUUS L. (ASTERACEAE) IN IRAN

Carduus L. (Asteraceae) comprised about 90 species of which 8 of them are distributed in Iran. From these only one species is endemic. The pollen morphology of eight species of Carduus was investigated using light and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The pollen type was sub-oblate to oblate-spheroidal, with echinate sculpturing. The grains sizes varies from 35.76-50.46 µm in polar view and from 37.38-59.63 µm in equatorial view. Palynological data are useful characters to separate studied species. The out-group species belong to the genus Cirsium Mill. and are located in a distinct cluster. The obtained species relationships are in agreement with the morphological results and previous taxonomic treatment of the genus.