Rapateaceae is a family of monocots restricted to

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northern South America and Liberia. Although pollen is basically of a monsulcate type common in monocots, specializations occur: (1) lengthening of the furrow into an aperture widened at both ends, providing two germ pores instead of one; (2) lengthening of the furrow to form a continuous aperture around the equator of the grain; (3) presence of two identical furrows; and (4) variations in coarseness of exine patterning. Evolutionary and taxonomic correlations of these features are discussed. Pollen of Rapateaceae is an excellent example of the fact that no one method of preparation is sufficient, and reasons are given for use of several methods to provide (1) complete descriptions and (2) accurate descriptions. Current literature on pollen of the family is deficient in these respects

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