PALYNOLOGY OF SOME SPECIES IN THE FAMILY CUCURBITACEAE FROM NIGERIA

Pollen morphology of ten (10) species representing nine (9) genera, two (2) varieties in the family Cucurbitaceae from Nigeria has been examined under light microscope. The pollen grains are largely monads. Exine wall ornamentation is most often reticulate all studied with exception pollens Cucurbita maxima Duch. which echinate, this a diagnostic character for species. Cell thickness least variable among characters studied. Almost types shape classes have observed within family, namely spheroidal, subprolate, oblate-spheroidal, prolate-spheroidal, suboblate and prolate, more than one type occurring It worthy note that aperture can be used to delimit Lagenaria siceraria (spatulate fruit shape) (oval shape). However, shapes same Citrullus lanatus (black seeds water melon) (brown melon). Three (3) apertures, porate, colpate (very occasionally) colporate documented study, while seven (7) distinguished based on apertures: monoporate, monocolpate, bicolporate, triporate, tricolporate, tetraporate tetracolporate. Tricolporate were occur frequently other apertural types. belong size categories Media Magna only very occasionally Minuta category. implication these reproductive success plants highlighted.