Comparative Pollen, Seed Morphology and The Phytochemical Constituents (Using HPLC Technique) Between The Different Taxa of Celastraceae S.L. of Saudi Arabia

Six species representing two genera i.e., Catha and Maytenus of family Celastraceae of Saudi Arabia were studied. Macro-and micromorphological characters, including seed and pollen shape, size, coat sculpture were examined by the aid of LM and SEM. The obtained data were compared to phytochemical analysis. The pollen grains were zonocolpate, tricolpate, prolate to subprolate. Two pollen types of exine ornamentation were recognized, reticulate and microreticulate. The seed exomorphic characters, shape, dimensions, colour, surface sculpture, in addition of anticlinal and periclinal walls and their boundaries are described. Five main distinctive sculpture types are exhibited; reticulate, collumalate, pitted, pappilate and rugose. On the other hand, the phytochemical profiles revealed presence of total alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids and saponins in all the studied taxa with a variable contents. 15 phenolic compounds assayed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. An artificial keys between the studied species based on pollen and seed morphological data were constructed.