Pollen morphology and phylogenetic analysis of Eperua Aublet (Detarieae : Caesalpinioideae : Leguminosae)

The diverse pollen morphology of fourteen species of the genus Eperua is de scribed and illustrated using light, scanning electron and transmission ele ctron microscopy. Six pollen types are described and a key for their identi fication is provided. A cladistic analysis was carried out using macromorph ological and palynological characters to form a hypothesis of relationships between tars. The pollen morphology is discussed with regard to systematic relationships, function and phylogenetic significance of certain pollen mo rphological structures within the genus.