A palynological study of typical Maltese wild and cultivated species

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the main characteristics of pollens from typical Maltese wild and cultivated species. This was carried out by collecting pollen samples from thirty-three plant species namely Reseda alba, Cupressus sempervirens, Urtica dubia, Pinus halipensis, Vzcia faba, Smyrnium olusatrum, Silene colorata, Prunus amygdalus, Papaver rhoeas, Oxalis pes-caprae, Narcissus tazetta, Orobanche crenata, Euphorbia melitensis, Erica multiflora, Echium parviflorum, Borago officinalis, Cerinthe major, Arisarum vulgare, Asphodelus aestivus, Fedia cornucopiae, Brassica oleracea , Prasium majus, Antirrhinum tortuosum, Lobularia maritima , Lotus ornithopodioides, Teucrium fruticans, Hypericum aegyptiacum, Ferula communis, Galactites tomentosa, Hedysarium coronarium, Avena sterilis, Lavatera arborea and Chrysanthemum coronarium. These pollens were collected in tubes and then stained and fixed onto microscope slides for microscopic examination. It was observed that the pollen sizes ranged between 8.31 µm for Hedysarium coronarium and 118.48 for Lavatera arborea. It was also observed that for some wild Mediterranean species, there is limited literature available, and therefore such a study will enhance knowledge on the less popular and less studied species. The study of such species will lead to a better understanding of new emerging pollens in several fields of research and applications dealing with palynology.