The pollen of 61 of about 80 taxa of Ericales that occur in Canada are described through the use of light and scanning electron microscopy. Five main pollen types are recognized: (I) compact tetrads in which the individual grains are not clearly delimited when rolled and viewed in all positions, and possessing costae endopori or costae endocolpi, (II) tetrads in which the individual grains are clearly and consistently delimited, occasionally possessing costae endopori or costae endocolpi, (III) a category in which grains within the tetrad are not consistently delimited, and lack costae endopori or costae endocolpi, (IV) loose tetrads in which individual grains are poorly fused, and (V) monads. A key identifies general morphological distinctions among the pollen groups or species. This survey of the pollen morphology of the Ericales supports conventional taxonomic treatments. We favour treatment of Monotropaceae and Pyrolaceae as separate families and suggest the elevation of Orthila secunda to its own monotypic family. The Clethraceae and Orthila secunda may be better treated outside the Ericales. We propose that the tetrad pollen of most Ericales is a derived condition from the more primitive trizonocolporate monad of the Cyrillaceae, Clethraceae, and Orthila secunda. Subfamily Vaccinioideae (Ericaceae) and Empetraceae, through subfamily Rhododendroideae (Ericaceae), to Pyrola and Moneses (Pyrolaceae), and finally to Chimaphila (Pyrolaceae) represent the evolutionary progression based on a trend from compact tetrads to loose individual grains within the tetrad. Finally the most advanced group is represented by the zonoaperturate monads of the Monotropaceae. This evolutionary progression based on pollen morphology is in accord with general principles of tetrad formation during microsporogenesis and with evolutionary relationships suggested by the macromorphology, phytochemistry, embryology, and degree of dependence on a fungal symbiont.
Pollen morphology of Asian Vigna species (genus Vigna; subgenus Ceratotropis)from India and its taxonomic implications
