Scanning Electron Microscopic Studies on Seed Coat Patterns of Five Endangered Himalayan Species of Meconopsis (Papaveraceae)

Scanning electron microscopic studies of seed coat patternswere carried out on 16 populations of the endangered genus Meconopsis,the Himalayan poppy. Two different types of testa can be distinguishedin the five species of Meconopsis (M. horridula, M. paniculata,M. simplicifolia, M. sinuata, M. villosa ) investigated: (a)rugose, and (b) reticulate. The results indicate the absenceof intra- and inter-population variation in all five speciesof Meconopsis. However, seed coat patterns show a marked inter-specificdifference suggesting that they are species-specific.Copyright1995, 1999 Academic Press Himalayan poppy, Meconopsis horridula, Meconopsis paniculata, Meconopsis simplicifolia, Meconopsis sinuata, Meconopsis villosa, endangered species, seed coat patterns, scanning electron microscopy