Pollen morphological survey of Pentas (Rubiaceae-Rubioideae) and its closest allies

Pollen descriptions, based on LM and SEM observations, are provided for the Pentas complex, an African alliance within the Hedyotideae-Spermacoceae alliance, which includes the genera Pentas, Otomeria, Batopedina, Parapentas, and Chamaepentas. The close relationship among these genera is confirmed by pollen morphological data. The observed variation in pollen character states agrees well with the existing genera and subgenera. The combination of small spheroidal pollen grains with narrow, acute endocolpi, and a small apocolpium index distinguishes Batopedina from Otomeria and Pentas. Parapentas differs from Batopedina in having broad endocolpi with vague ends.Two of the three subgenera of Otomeria, Neotomeria and Volubilis, are supported by pollen data. Pollen of the subgenus Otomeria, however, is less differentiated and is similar to pollen of Pentas subgenus Pentas. The exact relationship between the genera Otomeria and Pentas remains unclear, and molecular data are needed to interpret the observed morphological variation. Chamaepentas has pollen that is nearly identical to that of the Pentas subgenus Chamaepentadoides and of the subgenus Megapentas, i.e. large spheroidal pollen grains with three, medium-length colpi and endocolpi with acute ends. Pollen morphology provides additional support for a close affinity between Pentas subgenus Phyllopentas and Pentas subgenus Vignaldiopsis.