POLLEN MORPHOLOGY OF ASPHODELUS L (ASPHODELACEAE) - TAXONOMIC AND PHYLOGENETIC INFERENCES AT THE INFRAGENERIC LEVEL

The pollen morphology of the 16 recognized species of the genus Asphod elus L. (Asphodelaceae) has been investigated by light and scanning el ectron microscopy. Four pollen types can be distinguished on the basis of variation in size of the polar, equatorial longitudinal and transv erse axes, as well as in exine structure and sculpturing, which correl ate with the subdivision of the genus into sections. Correlations betw een pollen size and some biological characters are made. Phylogenetic implications are suggested, and trends of pollen evolution in the genu s are indicated.