Morphology and anatomy of blackberry pyrenes (Rubus L., Rosaceae) Elementary studies of the European representatives of the genus Rubus L.

This article presents the results of studies on the pyrenes of selected European brambles belonging to different subgenera and sections of the genus Rubus. Differences between the pyrenes of particular species are mainly visible in their shape, size and the outer endocarp sculpture. Numerous SEM photographs revealed that the differentiation of the endocarp surface is due to variations in a thin layer of transition sclereids developing between the outer endocarp and a mesocarp parenchyma. The endocarp structure of the genus Rubus can be used in determining some species belonging to different subgenera, even if generally its significance in the taxonomy of the European Rubus is limited.