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Discipline: Biological Sciences
Subcategory: Plant Research
Tyler Peacock - Harris-Stowe State University
Co-Author(s): Dr. David Bogler
The Mint Family (Lamiaceae) is a large and easily recognized family traditionally characterized by square stems, opposite leaves, bilabiate flowers, and gynobasic style with four nutlets. Taxa with a gynoterminal style were traditionally placed in the Verbena family, Verbenaceae. Recent molecular studies support transfer of some Verbenaceae genera into a more broadly circumscribed Lamiaceae. The goal of this study was to examine pollen morphology in Lamiaceae and outgroups to see if pollen evidence supports these transfers. In addition, we explored the unusual and beautiful pollen morphology in the large subfamily Nepetoideae, characterized by having six apertures (hexacolpate). Pollen was obtained from fresh material in the Missouri Botanical Garden and from dried herbarium specimens, hydrated, critical point dried, and examined under SEM. Twentysix taxa representing all the major subfamilies were imaged and examined. In general, pollen morphology is not in disagreement with the transfer of Verbenaceae taxa such as Vitex and Callicarpa, however the distinctly spiculate exine of Clerodendron quadrilocularis is discordant in Lamiaceae. Hexacolpate Nepetoidieae vary significantly in reticulation pattern, from coarsely to finely reticulate or bireticulate. These patterns may correlate with floral characters and pollination biology. Results of the pollen survey will be published a local journal.
Abstract-Peacock and Bogler - Pollen Diversit.docxFunder Acknowledgement(s): HBCU-UP NSF
Faculty Advisor: David Bogler, david.bogler@mobot.org
Role: Collected Samples, Operated Scanning Electron Microscope, prepared ESM slides for observation, preformed literature reviews.
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