POLLEN MORPHOLOGICAL STUDIES IN FIVE SPECIES OF LEEA D. ROYEN EX L. FROM KERALA.

The pollen morphology of ten accessions representing five species of Leea D. Royen ex L.collected from different parts of Kerala State, South India, were studied. The major palynological features appear to be highly conserved with the pollen grains being consistently 3-colporate, prolate-spheroidal to subprolate and medium-sized with microreticulate exine ornamentation. SEM analysis revealed large broad colpi with slightly winged margins, tall muri with warted upper surfaces and irregularly heterobrochate narrow lumina. The luminal floors were not clearly visible due to luminal depth and heavy wax deposition, more frequently at the mesocolpium. The lumina tend to elongate and narrow at the mesocolpium assuming a rugulate nature. Earlier reports of similar pollen traits from the close kin Vitaceae reflect the palynological affinity between the two groups, justifying the recent inclusion of the genus as a subfamily under the Vitaceae.