Northwest European pollen flora:
a vegetation classification and identification manual of pollen and spores

Selaginella microspore The principal aim of this project is to publish keys and detailed descriptions of the pollen grains of all seed plant families and certain important fern and moss families occurring in northwest Europe.

Each of the different pollen or spore types is well illustrated with photomicrographs for easy reference, taken with the high resolution scanning electron microscope and conventional compound light microscope.

Polygala pollen grain Information is provided on aperture numbers and configuration, wall structure, surface ornamentation, outline shape and size. Particular attention is paid to variability in morphological structure, and the occurrence of species in Quaternary deposits. Accounts of some 60 families have been published since the project began in 1975.

Now in its seventh volume, the NEPF will provide what will effectively be a series of identification manuals for students researching vegetational history, as well as a standard reference for palynologists, plant taxonomists, bee keepers, forensic scientists, and others requiring precise identification or information on pollen and spores found in the region.

Azolla megaspore The project is a joint effort between the University of Utrecht in the The Netherlands and The Natural History Museum, and is published by Elsevier Scientific Publishing Company, Amsterdam. Edited by W Punt, S Blackmore and PP Hoen

Illustrations

  1. A microspore of Selaginella kraussiana, distinguished from the microspores of other northwest European species by its elaborate spinose surface structure.
  2. An equatorial view of the pollen grain of Polygala vulgaris, one of ten species of the genus occurring in northwest Europe, showing its 'Chinese lantern-like' structure.
  3. Megaspore of Azolla filiculoides. The megaspores of the heterosporous family are large and particularly striking, with a specialized floating apparatus derived from aborted spores and surrounding cell material.

This project is part of the Faunas and Floras Research Theme.

For further information contact:

Peter Stafford
The Natural History Museum
Cromwell Road
London SW7 5BD UK
Tel: +44 (0) 171 938 8796 Fax: +44 (0) 171 938 9260
E-mail: pjs@nhm.ac.uk


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