Foliar epidermal anatomy and pollen morphology of the genera Alcea and Althaea (Malvaceae) from Pakistan

Foliar epidermal anatomy and palynology of the four species belonging to two genera, Alcea L. and Althaea L. of family Malvaceae from Pakistan were studied and compared in detail both by light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Leaves were amphistomatic and amphitrichomic with higher frequency of both stomata and trichomes on the abaxial surface. Three main types of glandular and eglandular trichomes were observed. Alcea rosea and A. lavateraeflora could be delimited by the characteristic features of their stellate trichomes. Palynological studies revealed the presence of apolar, pantoporate and echinate pollen. Character of spine index was used for the first time to describe Malvaceous pollen and is found of significant taxonomic importance. Artificial keys are given for all studied taxa based on foliar epidermal anatomical and palynomorphological features.