Amaranthus hypochondriacus: Seed Structure and Localization of Seed Reserves

The mature seed of Amaranthus hypochondriacus L. consists ofa peripheric embryo surrounding the nutritive tissue which isthe perisperm. Endosperm remnants are close to the root tip.Cytochemical analysis revealed that the embryo and endospermcells had a quite homogenous internal organization, with proteinbodies embedded in a lipid matrix. The embryo, however, appearsvariable in tissue organisation, due to the differentiationof the three primary meristematic tissues: the procambium appearsas a single bundle in the embryonic axis or as small bundlesthroughout the cotyledons length, these provascular cells aresmall and elongated and with fewer reserves and more cellularorganelles than the large protoderm and ground meristem cells.These latter cells have more protein bodies, and they show ahigher number of larger globoid crystal inclusions than theothers. The perisperm is a starchy tissue, and its cells havethin walls and are full of angular starch grains.Copyright 1994,1999 Academic Press Amaranth, Amaranthus hypochondriacus, seed structure, seed reserves