Resumen
Introduction: The Apiacae is rich with species diversity in Iraq but the palynological contributions on this family are focused on some taxa on species level. Number of micromorphological characters were used in this study carried out by compound light microscope: shape of pollen grains, colpi length, exine thickness. Material and methods: micromorphological studies have been implemented using SEM for 12 species as three cleaning methods are done and examine the best one, on the other hand, measuring the polar axis (P), equatorial axis (E) and P/E ratio w(the ratio of the length of the polar axis to the equatorial). Moreover, ornamentation have been described also. Results and discussion: Ultra-sonication was found to be the best method of cleaning pollen grains. This method removed surface debris from the pollen grains but sometimes lead to fracturing of pollen grains. The pollen grains are bilateral symmetric and isopolar . The shape of pollen was both prolateor, perprolate. The ornamentation was ranged from striate-rigulose to striate in Anisociadium DC. Species but was striate on Ergocarpon cryptanthum (Rech.f.) C.C.Towns.while were striate-ruglose, striate-granulate and radiate-rugulose respectively, on the Bunium L species. The outline is oblong with round poles in the genera Anisosciadium and Bunium. The variation that observed in pollen shape may be caused by the different extraction methods that have been used and embedding media. Three types of apertures were observed, di-ectocolpate (A .isosciadium Bornm. and A. orientale DC., di-colporate (A. isosciadium and E .cryptanthum) and tricolporate in all species of Bunium. On the other hand, costae are always present, but they are clear in some pollen grains than in others. Costae are broad, band like. Conclusion: A scanning electron microscope study were of useful taxonomic attributes on the generic level specially, aperture type and number and sculpturing of exine.