Comparative palynomorphological study of two species in the valley of Zagoria, Gjirokastra, Albania

A pioneering palynomorphological study reveals the distinct pollen characteristics of two endemic plants, Centaurea epirota and Viola epirota, from Albania's Zagoria valley. Centaurea epirota pollen grains exhibit 3 colporate, radially symmetrical structures with scabrate exine, while Viola epirota displays variable colporate patterns (3-5) and granulate exine. These findings, documented for the first time in Albanian literature, provide critical insights into the species' morphological traits. The study employed light microscopy to analyze pollen morphology, comparing it with related species (Centaurea cyanus, Viola alba, Viola odorata, and Viola arvensis) to assess ecological factors and laboratory processing impacts on pollen size.

Nikoleta Kallajxhiu, Gëzim Kapidani, Silvana Turku, & Anxhela Dauti. (2021). Comparative palynomorphological study of two species in the valley of Zagoria, Gjirokastra, Albania. GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 15(3), 199–205. https://doi.org/10.30574/gscbps.2021.15.3.0164