A comparative palynological study of 25 taxa of the genus Orobanche L.
belonging to section Trionychon Wallr. and section Orobanche L. was c
arried out. A clear difference between the pollen grains of section Tr
ionychon and section Orobanche was observed. The grains of section Tri
onychon are typically tricolpate, radially symmetrical, more or less o
blate spheroidal, with a microreticulate or scabrate-perforate sculptu
re. Section Orobanche on the other hand, had spheroidal, more or less
inaperturate pollen grains, although some were tricolpate, but without
any clear symmetry. The basic surface sculpture of the pollen in sect
ion Orobanche was scabrate to rugulate-perforate. Palynologically, six
groups can be recognized amongst the species of the genus Orobanche,
for which a key is provided.