Seed morphology and post-seminal development of Tillandsia L. (Bromeliaceae) from the "Campos Gerais", Paraná, Southern Brazil

Abstract

This work studied the morphology and post-seminal development of seeds of Tillandsia gardneri Lindl, T. streptocarpa Baker, and T. stricta Sol. ex Sims (Bromeliaceae) from the "Campos Gerais", State of Paraná, Southern Brazil The seeds (ca. 2.0 mm long) presented plumose appendages at their micropylar end, an important structure in the taxonomy of the family since it represented an elaborate apparatus allowing effective wind-dispersal. Seeds germinated after circa twenty days. The haustorial cotyledon, responsible for the seedling nutrition, appeared first during the germination process. No cataphyll or primary roots developed. A small tank came along in the seedling, formed by the base of the sheath of the first leaf, which overlapped that of the second leaf. This tank can store water and litter. The adventitious roots developed later.