Seed Morphology of Some Species of Indigofera (Fabaceae) from Saudi Arabia (Identification of Species and Systematic Significance)

F. A. Al-Ghamdi

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DOI: 10.4236/ajps.2011.23057                

Abstract

Seeds of 18 species of Indigofera L. were examined with the scanning electron microscope and the light microscope. Macro- and micromorphological characters, including seed shape, colour, size, surface, epidermal cell shape, anticlinal boundaries, outer periclinal cell wall and relief of outer cell walls, are presented. Two types of basic anticlinal cell wall boundaries and two types of relief outer cell walls are recognized and two different shapes of the outer periclinal cell wall are described. A key for the identification of the investigated taxa based on seed characters is provided.

Keywords

Seeds, Morphology, Indigofera, Fabaceae, Saudi Arabia

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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