Pollen morphology and development of the pollination mechanism in Tsuga heterophylla and T. mertensiana

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Abstract
Pollen of Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg. (western hemlock) is nonsaccate and bears spines, whereas pollen of Tsuga mertensiana (Bong.) Carr. (mountain hemlock) is saccate and lacks spines. The pollination mechanism in western hemlock consists of a short funnel-like integument tip with a large micropyle. Pollen may enter the micropyle or germinate on the bract or ovuliferous scale and form long pollen tubes. The pollination mechanism in mountain hemlock consists of two large micropylar flaps which secrete minute droplets to which pollen adheres. A pollination drop is not formed in either species. These features are discussed in relation to the taxonomy of the genus and the reproductive biology of these two species.

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