Pollen flora of Pakistan - LXIV: Saxifragaceae.

Pollen morphology of 13 species of the family Saxifragaceae belonging to 2 genera viz., Bergenia Moench., and Saxifraga L., has been investigated using light and scanning electron microscope. Pollen grains are usually radially symmetrical, isopolar, sub-prolate to prolate-spheroidal rarely prolate or oblate-spheroidal, tricolporate. Tectum reticulate-rugulate or stria-spinulose rarely punctate. On the basis of exine ornamentation 5 distinct pollen types have been recognized viz., Bergenia ciliata-type, Bergenia stracheyi-type, Saxifraga asarifolia-type, Saxifraga hirculus-type and Saxifraga oppositifolia-type. However, exine ornamentation and pollen shape are important pollen characters. Within the family pollen diversity is significant enough for delimiting the species.