Polygala verticillata
Polygalaceae
Description:
Pollen monad, size class small, polar axis 20-21 μm, equatorial axis 17-18 μm, shape elliptical, oblate to suboblate, radially symmetrical, equatorial outline lobed or circular (when fully hydrated), aperture type stephanocolporate, colpi 9 (10); ornamentation psilate.
Pollination Biology:
Two large sepals take place of petals in attracting bees. Pollinated by a variety of bees – bumble bees, honey bees, andrenids, Xylocopa. Bumble bees sometimes break open the flowers to get at the nectar. Self-fertilization and cleistogamy are also known in the genus.
Links:
USDA Plants – Polygala verticillata
Species in Missouri:
Polygala ambigua Nutt.
Polygala incarnata L.
Polygala sanguinea L.
Polygala senega L.
Polygala verticillata L.
References:
Arreguin-Sanchez, M.L., Palacios-Chavez, R., Quiroz-Garcia, D.L., Ramos-Zamora, D. 1988. Morfologia de los granos de polen de la familia Polygalaceae del Valle de Mexico. Acta Bot Mex: 21-27.
Krachai, P., P. Chantaranothai, and N. Piwpuan. 2009. Pollen characteristics of Polygala, Salomonia and Xanthophyllum (Polygalaceae) in Thailand. The Natural History Journal of Chulalongkorn University 9(1): 27-34.
Paiva, J. and J. D. Santos- Dias. 1990. The pollen grain of Polygala fruiticosa Berg. (Polygalaceae). Anales Jardin Botanico de Madrid. 47(2): 377-385.