REVISION ON TAXONOMY OF POLYGONUM SECTIONS IN IRAN BY PALYNOLOGICAL CHARACTERS

Species belonging to different sections of the genus Polygonum L. were studied micro-morphologically. For this purpose, digital images were obtained from all species and lower taxa belonging to sections Persicaria, Bistorta, Tiniaria and Pleuropterus. Since section Polygonum is much diverse, pollens of three representative species Polygonum luzuloides, P. olivascens and P. setosum were photographed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Based on SEM studies shape, size, ornamentation of exine and porate/colpate pollens are considered diagnostic for separating the sections from each other. An identification key to the section Persicaria is presented and section is to be promoted to genus level.