Umbelliferae

Abstract

The family UmbeUiferae is a large one with 2850 species. It is well represented in Europe with some 500 taxa grouped into ca. 110 genera. Its pollen grains are usually very distinctive with their characteristic inner and outer outlines, slit-like ectocolpi and broad, band-like costae. Most important for the recognition of the very characteristic "bone" shape, however, is the inner contour which is more stable than the variable outer contour. Family characters have been mentioned by several authors in general pollen keys. Another source of information is the descriptions in regional pollen floras. The most important studies on pollen morphology, however, are those of Cerceau-Larrival. Since 1959 she has published a great deal on the Umbelliferae. She was the first to recognize a number of characteristics that are important for the identification of Umbelliferae pollen: P/E ratio, outline of the inner contour and outline of the outer contour, variation of the exine thickness at the poles, the shoulders and in the equatorial area, the length of the ectocolpus, features of the endoaperture, etc. Using these characteristics she was able to construct a key to Umbelliferae pollen from France and North Africa (1959). Later, this key was modified and extended to include a number of other well-known umbellffers (1962). Both keys demonstrate well the variation within the family. One of these characteristics, the variation of the sexine at the poles, shoulders and equatorial area, has proved to be most valuable.