Pollen Morphology of Lauraceae Members From Garhwal Himalaya, (Uttarakhand, India)

The family Lauraceae, a basal angiospermic group within the Magnoliid clade, is important for understanding plant evolution and systematics. This study examines the pollen morphology of Lauraceae species from the Garhwal Himalaya, part of the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR), to explore their taxonomic and evolutionary significance. Pollen morphological features of 10 species of the family Lauraceae were examined and documented. Fresh flower buds were collected from the study area, and pollen grains were prepared using the standard acetolysis method. The morphological features of the pollen were examined using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The pollen grains were observed to be monad, apolar, radially symmetrical, and inaperturate, with a nanogemmate exine surface bearing supratectal echinae (0.5-2 μm). Grain diameters ranged from 31.56 ± 2.56 μm (Neolitsea cuipala) to 43.25 ± 9.03 μm (Phoebe lanceolata). Comparative analysis revealed two major exine ornamentation patterns: (1) the Litsea type, with microechinae (~0.5 μm) and acute to obtuse tips, and (2) the Dodecadenia type, with larger echinae (1-2 μm) and acute tips. Cluster analysis supported these distinctions by grouping species based on exine features. The study confirms the stenopalynous nature and archaic pollen traits of the family. These findings provide a foundation for future research on phylogenetic relationships and ecological adaptations within the family. These findings strengthen the palynological characterization of Lauraceae and suggest that future comparative studies on both extant and fossil taxa of various basal angiosperm families may provide valuable insights into pollen evolution, adaptation, and phylogenetic relationships within Magnoliids.