Abstract
Pollen morphology of 4 species (Phoenix dactylifera, P. loureinii, P. sylvestris, P. roebelenii) belonging to the genus Phoenix L.of the family Palmae has been studied from Pakistan and Kashmir by using Light Microscope (LM) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Palynologically, the genus Phoenix L. is a stenopalynous taxon. Pollen are usually asymmetrical, iso-heteropolar, monosulcate, mostlyellipitic -oval or oblong- subroundedin polar view and boat-like (longitudinally) or kidney shaped (transversely) in equatorial view. Two pollen types are recognized on the basis of the shape of pollen viz., Phoenix dactylifera-type and Phoenix roebelenii-type. Key to the studied species is also given. Pollen morphology is significantly helpful at specific level within the pollen type.
