Pollen morphology and taxonomic implications of Muscari Miller (Hyacinthaceae) species from Sicily

Pollen morphology of the native Sicilian species of the genus Muscari, one of which is endemic to Sicily, belonging to the subgenera Muscari, Leopoldia and Pseudomuscari, was studied using a light microscope and a scanning electron microscope. Pollen grains are monads, heteropolar and monosulcate; the exine is semitectate reticulate and perforate. The sulcus extends from distal to proximal face and its length is not directly proportional to the size of the granules and varies from one species to another.