Title: POLLEN MORPHOLOGY OF THE GENUS <i>SILENE L.</i> (CARYOPHYLLACEAE), SECTIONS <i>SIPHONOMORPHA</i> OTTH AND <i>AURICULATAE</i> (BOISS.) SCHISCHK.
Abstract: S ummary Pollen morphology of the species of Silene of the Sections Siphonomorpha and Auriculatae is described. Species belonging to Section Siphonomorpha show only punctate tubuliferous/spinulose ektexine while species belonging to Section Auriculatae show punctate, reticulate and semi‐reticulate tubuliferous/spinulose ektexine. The study suggests the derivation of reticulate ektexine from punctate ektexine and the association of reticulate ektexines with sporophytically advanced taxa. It also emphasizes the retention of the Caryophyllaceae in the Centrospermae.