Pollen and seed morphology of the genus Cistanche (Orobanchaceae) in Iran

The pollen grains and seeds in six species of Cistanche distributed in Iran were examined. Detailed morphological descriptions of pollen and seed are given for each species. Four microsculpturing patterns are recognized on pollen surface among the species studied: microhammulate, microscabrate, microornate and microgemmate. The seed coat sculpturing among the studied species is constantly alveolate, but moderate differences were detected on the inner anticlinal wall, so, it can be perforate and striate. Seed characters were recognized to be important in separation of taxa at different taxonomical ranks.