The pollen morphology of 40 specimens of 15 species belonging to eight genera in the subfamily Salicornioideae (Chenopodiaceae) was studied using light and scanning electron microscopy to evaluate the taxonomic importance of pollen characters. Pollen grains were characteristically pantopolyporate, with 31–51 evenly distributed pores on the surface. The tectum and operculum are covered with minute spinules, typical of other members of the Chenopodiaceae, with minor differences among genera and species. Perforation was seen only in Halostachys belangeriana at high magnification. Pollen characters studied here include pollen and pore diameters, number and density of apertures, interporal distance (chord), chord/pollen diameter ratio, pore diameter/pollen diameter ratio and spinule density on the tectum and operculum. Despite extreme uniformity in pollen morphology, there is good evidence supporting currently known phylogenetic relationships and generic delimitations within the subfamily Salicornioideae. The significant differences in pollen characters among populations of Halostachys belangeriana and Halocnemum strobilaceum may indicate genetic diversity or polyploidy in different populations. The pollen characters provide limited taxonomic value in the subfamily Salicornioideae, which may come from habitat homogeneity of all species growing in hypersaline marshes and inland hygrohalophytic communities.