Pollen morphology of the Boraginaceae from Santa Catarina state (southern Brazil), with comments on the taxonomy of the family

The pollen morphology of 30 Boraginaceae taxa native to the Santa Catarina State was investigated by both light and scanning electron microscopy. The species were classified into nine pollen types on the basis of aperture characteristics and surface ornamentation. Sub-types were defined with regard to differences in shape, surface ornamentation and the number of apertures. The general agreement of these pollen types with taxonomic classifications was verified, with a few exceptions. An extensive re-evaluation of the systematics of the subfamily Heliotropioideae, especially of the genus Heliotropium, is suggested.