Pollen grains of 35 species representing all 7 genera of the subtribe Hypochoeridinae, and Scolymus hispanicus of the subtribe Scolyminae were examined by LM, SEM and TEM. The pollen grains of annual species are usually smaller than those of perennial ones. The Hypochoeridinae possesses essentially tricolpororate,echinolophate pollen grains. In addition, echinolacunate and subechinolophate pollen grains have been found in Hypochoerzs. The variability of the external pollen morphology is not accompanied by distinct variations in the internal structure. The pollen wall consists of a composite tectum and thin columellae that extend radially from the foot layer in the highly anastomosed elements of the tectum in the ridges. In the depressions the tectum is reduced and columellae are absent. The foot layer is thin and the endexine is very thick and usually lamellated. The intine is generally thin and usually appears interbedded with the proximal surface of the endexine. Four pollen types were established in the subtribe. The pollen grains of the Hypochoeridinae are more like those of the subtribe Microseridinae than those of the subtri be Stephanomeriinae. In Hypochoeris the pollen characters are positively correlated with floral microcharacters. The echinolophate pollen grains of the C European and Mediterranean Hypochoeris species are probably derived from echinolacunate pollen grains of the type seen in S American species. The pollen grains of Rhagadiolus and Garhadzolus differ from those of other Hypochoeridinae because they lack polar areas. The pollen grains of Soolymus hispanicus (subtribe Scolyminae) differ completely from other species of the Lactuceae.