Article

The pollen morphology of 20 species of Malvaceae growing in Yemen was investigated by light (LM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The studied taxa belong to 9 genera and three different tribes. These taxa are: Abelmoschus esculentus, Hibiscus trionum, H. micranthus, H. deflersii, H. palmatus, H. vitifolius, H. rosa-sinensis, H. ovalifolius, Gossypium hirsutum, Thespesia populnea (L.) Solander ex Correa and Senra incana (Cav.) DC. (Hibiscieae); Malva parviflora and Alcea rosea (Malveae); Abutilon fruticosum, A. figarianum, A. bidentatum, A. pannosum, Sida acuta, S. alba and S. ovata (Abutileae). Pollen shape, size, aperture, exine structure and sculpturing as well as the spine characters proved that they are of high taxonomic value. Pollen characters with some other morphological characters are discussed in the light of the recent classification of the family in Yemen.