STUDIES IN THE POLLEN MORPHOLOGY OF SOME MEMBERS OF ACANTHACEAE IN PASCHIM MEDINIPUR DISTRICT, WEST BENGAL

Abstract

The Acanthaceae is a large pantropical family of about 229 genera and nearly 3450 species. About 70 genera and 340 species have been reported from India. It represents a typical eurypalynous family showing a broad range of pollen morphotypes. Palynological observations were carried out of 14 species collected from various localities of Midnapore area of Paschim Medinipur District, West Bengal with the aim of improving knowledge of the palynology in this family. A significant number of species are also very potential bee plants and those are medicinally important too. Pollen morphological studies of the family are therefore very significant to identify the pollen grains present in honey samples and pollen pellets collected by honeybees.