Research & Reviews: Journal of Botanical Sciences e-ISSN:2320-0189 p-ISSN:2347-2308 Cytology and Pollination Biology of Lamiaceae: A Review Ali Abbas Rather*, Asma Banday, Peerzada Arshid Shabir, Irshad Ahmad Nawchoo, and Khursheed Ahmad Ganaie Economic Botany and Reproductive Biology Research Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, Srinagar-190 006. Jammu and Kashmir. India Review Article Received: 24/03/2018 ABSTRACT Accepted: 28/03/2018 Extensive cytological studies had revealed the presence of diploid, tetraploid, Published: 02/04/2018 hexaploid and octaploid species in the Family Lamiaceae. Chromosome numbers vary from 2n=2x=14 in Salvia nemorosa to 2n=6x=102 in Stachys palustris L. Diversification in the Family may be attributed to the presence of polyploidy *For Correspondence and aneuploidy. It is an eurypalynous family with pollen grains usually radially symmetrical, isopolar, prolate-spheroidal to oblate-spheroidal or sub-oblate to Ali Abbas Rather, Economic Botany sub-prolate. Xenogamy is deeply rooted, and protandry or gynodioecy, especially and Reproductive Biology Research frequent in this family, maximizes cross-fertilization. Fruits consist of four one- Laboratory, Department of Botany, seeded nutlets (mericarps) formed within a persistent calyx, with seeds dehiscing University of Kashmir, Srinagar-190 during the warmer months. Individual seeds are characterized by a prominent 006. Jammu and Kashmir. India. Tel: attachment scar that is known as a mericarp plug. 0194-2429870. E-mail:
[email protected] Keywords: Lamiaceae, Chromosomes, Pollen grains, Xenogamy, Pollination INTRODUCTION Lamiaceae constitute a large family, ca. 220 genera and 4000 species, of cosmopolitan distribution that is particularly well represented in temperate, warm regions [1-6].