POLLEN MORPHOLOGY IN LOTEAE (LEGUMINOSAE) WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO THE GENUS LOTUS-L

Pollen morphology was used to clarify some taxonomic differences in th e classification of the Loteae tribe and the genus Lotus. The analysis of palynological data by numerical techniques indicated a clear taxon omic separation of many higher categories. Subgenera Syrmatium, Simpet eria and Acmispon were determined to be most closely related, while su bgenus Hosackia is separate. Old World Lotus was found to be stenopaly nous while New World Lotus was eurypalynous, thereby separating the sp ecies into two phytogeographical regions. Various taxonomic treatments were examined and Old World Lotus appeared to be more clearly defined than the relationships between the North American taxa. This is suppo rted by the results of the palynological study. Some taxa considered a s Lotus sensu stricto may require classification into other genera. Th e results indicated affinities within or between taxa the subgeneric a nd specific level which should aid in selecting possible taxa combinat ions for purposes of plant breeding and molecular studies.