Pollen types of the Egyptian species of the genus Salvia (Lamiaceae)

Pollen morphology of seven species of genus Salvia (Lamiaceae) was investigated using light and scanning electron microscopy. Pollen was studied to show all possible characteristic features like shape, size, apertures, wall stratification, etc., with special reference to the specific characters of each pollen type. Four pollen types were recognized viz. Salvia aegyptiaca pollen type, Salvia deserti pollen type, Salvia palaestina pollen type and Salvia spinosa pollen type. Description of each type, a key to the investigated taxa as well as SEM micrographs of pollen types are provided. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)