POLLEN CHARACTERISTICS OF THREE PAPAVER SPECIES AND THE OBSERVATION OF POLYPHYLLA FULLO AS THE MAIN POLLEN COLLECTOR

The pollen morphology of three Papaver L. species as host of Polyphylla fullo were investigated palynologically by light microscope and electron microscope. The Papaver hybridum L., Papaver polytrichum Boiss. et Ky and Papaver rhoeas L. had 3-zonocolporate pollen class. Polar measurements range between 20-32 μm for Papaver hybridum L., 22-35 μm for Papaver polytrichum Boiss. et Ky and 21 – 34 μm for Papaver rhoeas L. Equatorial measurements were 21 – 32 μm for P. hybridum, 21-32 μm for P. polytrichum and 21 - 33 μm for P. rhoeas. P/E ratio ranged between 0.98-(1.04)-1.25 for P. hybridum, 0.92-1.25 for P. polytrichum and 0.95-(1.08) – 1.30 for P. rhoeas. Pollen outline were recognized, the equatorial view for all Papaver species was elliptic; the polar view was circular. P/E ratio was erect to semi-erect. The morphology of ectoaperture structures (colpi, pori and margins) have reflected no variation. The morphology of endoaperture structures (scabrae, verrucae and columellae) have reflected no distinguished variation; they have visible scabrae, present verrucae and distinct columellae. Papaver species in Jordan produces a large amount of whitish polliniferous dust and constitutes a potential source of pollen for different species of beetles providing an interesting field for germination studies, insect-plant interactions and pollen morphology.