Pollen terminology

Ektexine - the outer layer of the 2 layers of exine. Can have detailed sculptured elements

Endexine - Underneath the ektexine. Can be tested by safarine staining. Considered a new layer that evolved in the Cretaceous beneath the foot layer in the position of potential aperture development

Foot layer - a basal layer in the sexine that is often indistinguishable from the nexine

Tectum - the outer layer of the sexine

Muri - ridges that are part of the ornamentation and separate the lumen in reticulate pollen grains and striae in striate pollen grains

Reticulate - A network like pattern

Monosulcate - pollen grain with a single elongate aperture

inaperturate - pollen without a visible aperature

tricolpate - three aperatures