Variation in pollen wall ultrastructure in New World Senecioneae (Asteraceae), with special reference to Packera

Abstract

The structure of the pollen wall as revealed by transmission electron microscopy is presented for 34 species representing two subtribes and 12 genera of New World Senecioneae. The genus Packera (=aureoid Senecio), with the exception of Packera zimapanica, is characterized by the helianthoid wall structure. In light of these results, the disposition of the latter species requires review. The genera Robinsonecio and Telanthophora of the subtribe Tussilagininae also possess helianthoid pollen. All other taxa surveyed have senecioid pollen. So far as known no taxa exist within the tribe Senecioneae with a base chromosome number of n = 20 and helianthoid pollen. This suggests that the evolution of Packera may have involved hybridization between members of the two subtribes Senecionineae and Tussilagininae. Key words: Asteraceae, Packera, Senecioneae, pollen, TEM, systematics.