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In Lebanon, Eriobotrya japonica Lindl. (Thunb.) (Rosaceae) is a naturalized species. The tree is mainly cultivated for the nutritional and medicinal properties of its fruits. Two “varieties” are commonly distinguished according to fruit shape, rounded or pear-shaped. The researches of hybrids for these two taxa were unsuccessful. The comparison of pollinic characters into the two populations contributing to establish the origin of a reproductive incompatibility, the scale pollen morphology was studied for four samples taken on two groups, on one hand in light microscope, by a numerical treatment of various pollen types, on the other hand in scanning electron microscopy. The variations found were not significant. Determination of distinctive pollen characters does not make possible to select different taxa. Investigations of female genotype could possibly permit to separate two botanical populations for this agronomic and food resource which is appreciated in Mediterranean area.
Rosaceae, Eriobotrya japonica, agronomic and food resources, Lebanon, SEM, pollen morphology