Taxonomic Studies of Selected Genera of Malvaceae Study of Gross Morphology, Foliar Epidermal Anatomy, Palynology and AFLP mediated genetic diversity of malvaceous species

The research project was carried out during 2006- 2009. The studies confined to the revision of 31 species belonging to six genera, Abutilon Mill., Alcea L., Althaea L., Malva L., Hibiscus L., and Sida L. of family Malvaceae in Pakistan. A synthetic approach (classical and applied) is adopted by the application of general plant morphology, foliar epidermal anatomy and pollen morphology. AFLP (Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism) marker system was used to explore phenetic relationships and diversity within and among 13 Malvaceous species belonging to 5 different genera.