Morphological Studies on Pollen of Camellias for 34 Species(Camellia Sinensis)

The pollen of camellias of 34 Camellia Sinensis cultivars collected from Fujian and Taiwan were observed morphologically with a scanning electron microscope.The results showed that the camellia pollens from Fujian cultivars were morphologically similar to that from Taiwan.The profile of pollens observed mostly as prolate and split round,nearly round or triangle with three-bore sulcus if viewed from pole point and ranged spacing distribution,which classified as N3P4C5.The length of pollen polar axis ranged from 41.66 to 54.61 μm,and the length of equator axis ranged from 24.76 μm to 31.69 μm.The pollen exine ornamentation was mainly in mimetic reticulate-striate.According to the cluster analysis for pollen morphology,the 34 tea cultivars could be classified into four categories: the first category included Dahongpao,Ruanzhi Oolong,Baiyang Guanyin,Qiqu,Qingxin Oolong,Baiqilan,Baiya Qilan;the second category included Zaoqilan,Jinguanyin,Shanghang Guanyin,Yuanye Guanyin,Jinmian Qilan,Shuixian,Manqilan,Sijichun and Aijiao Oolong,Jinxuan,Baiwen;the third category included Cuiyu,Hongya Guanyin,Rougui,Baijiguan,Benshan,Lvya Guanyin;the fourth category included Daye Oolong,Taimushan wild tea,Xiaoye Qilan,Huangdan,Qingxin Qilan,Shaoqi,Maoxie,Zhuye Qilan,Meizhan,Zhenghe Dabaicha.