J Syst Evol ›› 1983, Vol. 21 ›› Issue (2): 143-150.

• Research Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

On the Validity of the Genus Cochlidiosperma Reichenb. (Scrophulariaceae) as Supported by Additional Palynological Evidence

1Hong De-Yuan, 2S. Nilsson   

  1.  1 (Institute of Botany, Academia Siniea, Beijing, China)
    2(Swedish Museum of Natural History, Palynological Laboratory, S-10405, Stockholm 50, Sweden)
  • Published:1983-05-18

Abstract: The pollen grains of Cochlidiosperma (Veronica) hederifolia and C. (Veronica) cymbalaria were examined under SEM and TEM. They differ vastly from those of all the others in Veronica (sensu Elenevskij, 1977, 1978). The taxonomic relationship between the group and the other Veronica spp. is discussed with respect to both gross morphology and pollen characters. Justification for the restoration of the genus as a valid taxon is argued and, finally, a number of new combinations are proposed. The group under consideration was sometimes treated as a separate genus but more often given different ranks in the genus Veronica, which has been a controversial group as to its concept and subdivision. No detail discussion has been made before on the relationship between the group and Veronica. Main purpose of the present mork is to examine pollen morphology and gross morphology of the group and to discussits relationship with Veronica.