The Significance of New and Recent Work on Pollen Morphology in the Palmae

The pollen morphology of the Palmae, primarily based on electron microscopy, is reviewed. Many new descriptions and illustrations are included. The group is discussed against the background of Uhl & Dransfield's recent systematic arrangement. The contribution that an extensive pollen morphological database makes to the understanding of the systematics of the family is demonstrated. This pollen study highlights some of the more obscure relationships within the Palmae, for example, those of Kerriodoxa, Masoala and Carpoxylon. The use of careful comparative studies of recent palm pollen in throwing further light on relationships of dispersed, palm-like fossil pollen is considered. The possibility is examined that in some species a relationship might exist between pollen morphology and pollination strategies. It is postulated that the wide range of variation in the pollen morphology, taken together with the extensive macromorphological data and fossil pollen record, could lead to the conclusion that the family is a specialized offshoot arising early in the evolution of the monocotyledons.