We present a multiple-access key and searchable data base to Neotropical pollen that is available as freeware. The data base is based on FileMaker 5 and contains c. 6000 images of >1000 taxa. All pollen images are of acetolysed grains collected from vouchered herbarium specimens. The selection of taxa to be included in the data base is predicated upon their probable occurrence in lake sedimentary records, which in turn was based on their flower structure, sexual mechanisms and ecology. The multiple-access key is a forgiving format as it can be used with incomplete data or where the researcher cannot decide between the choices offered. The data base is downloadable and is compatible with both Mac and PC platforms.