Testa sculpture in the genus Frailea (Cactaceae) |
| |
Authors: | DETLEV METZING JOACHIM THIEDE |
| |
Institution: | AG Pflanzenokologie, FB 7, Universität Oldenburg, 26111 Oldenburg, Germany;Botanisches Institut &Botanischer Garten, Universität Hamburg, Ohnhorststr. 18, 22609 Hamburg, Germany |
| |
Abstract: | The primary sculpture of the seed surface in the genus Frailea (Cactaceae) is characterized by a i flat outer periclinal wall and the presence of an usually eccentric papilla. Papilla morphology differs mainly in size and breadth:length ratio. Seeds of different species (groups) are characterized by special patterns in the arrangement of short and long papillae on the surface, thus providing a useful tool for taxonomic studies in Frailea. The seeds of Frailea castanea possess branched papillae, a character restricted in this genus to this species. Moreover, such papilla morphology seems to be unique for the seed epidermis in spermatophytes. The possible function of the papillae is discussed. |
| |
Keywords: | epidermis microsculpture papillae seed taxonomy |
|
|