| Abstract: | The seeds of Anona crassiflora Mart., an important tree of theBrazilian cerrado, have been found to take about 8 months forgermination to commence, and some 35-70 d more to achieve itfully; such seeds must remain in moist ground all this time.A poorly developed embryo, little more than a hyaline mass ofcells, was all that could account for the delayed germination.Inhibition by extracts of seed parts was negligible. In A. crassifloraafter-ripening is related more to morphological changes in theembryo than to chemical changes. As the seed cannot endure evena brief sojourn in dry soil, vegetative reproduction is themeans by which the tree spreads into new areas. |
