Pollingia

Pollingia is not a widely recognized scientific name in contemporary taxonomy. In standard botanical and mycological references, Pollingia does not appear as an accepted genus or species. When the term is encountered in literature, it is most often a misspelling or variant of pollinia, the pollen masses produced by certain flowering plants, especially orchids.

Pollinia are cohesive packets of pollen grains that function as a unit. In many orchids, pollen is produced in compact pollinia that are attached to a structure called a pollinarium and linked by a viscidium to a pollinator. During visitation, the pollinia are transferred to the pollinator’s body and subsequently deposited on the stigma of a conspecific flower, facilitating cross-pollination. Pollinia can vary in size, shape, and number, and they are a characteristic feature used to identify certain plant groups within their respective families.

Etymologically, pollinia is the standard plural form derived from Latin, while Pollingia, if encountered, is typically not treated as a valid taxonomic name. If a source uses Pollingia, it is advisable to verify whether it is referring to pollinia or to a non-scientific term, a misidentification, or a fictional/placeholder name.

See also: pollinia, orchid pollination, pollinarium, plant reproductive structures.