| Abstract: | Seed anatomy, dormancy breakage, the temperature effect to seed germination and seed life-span of Cimicifuga nanchuanensis Hsiao were studied and the endangerment of this plant in association to these biological characteristics was explored. The embryos were at the globular stage at the time of seed shedding in late November. Low temperature and humid conditions or treatment with exogenous GA3 stimulated the development of embryos and sped up the process of seed germination. The optimum temperature of germination was 20 ℃, but the seeds almost lost their viability after 9 months of storage. Nevertheless, in its natural habitation, the seeds could not acquire enough environmental humidity to accomplish their after-ripening during the dry and cold winter from late November to the following March; after then the temperature in the spring (averaged 10.1 ℃ in April and May) was much lower than 20 ℃ or so which is favorable for seed germination. Moreover, the testa could not provide adequate protection for the embryos and the short life-span of the seeds prevents their survival until the next germination. Therefore it seems reasonable to infer that the unfavorable environmental condition during the process of after-ripening until seed maturation is involved in the cause of endangerment of this plant species. |
