Morphological characterization of fruits, diaspores and germination of Miconia ligustroides (DC.) Naundim (Melastomataceae)

Abstract

Miconia ligustroides (DC.) Naudim, popularly known as "vassoura-preta" or "jacatirão-do-brejo" is widely distributed in Brazil. It is a recommended species for restoration of riparian areas and its fruits are attractive to wildlife. However, little is known about the morphology of its fruits and diaspores. Such morphological characterization studies are important for species identification, corroborating future studies of phenology and germination. Therefore, the fruits, diaspores and germination of M. ligustroides were morphologically characterized by observations through naked eye, stereoscopic microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Analyses of chemical composition of seeds were also performed. The fruits are spherical and uniform within the analyzed sample, having a large number of tiny obtriangular yellowish-brown diaspores. The diaspores are considered ananfitropos, and have crystals in their external envelope. Concerning chemical composition, they are proteins. Germination is of phanerocotylar type and starts at 12 Days After Sowing (DAS); at 17 DAS each diaspore may produce up to three seedlings. The morphological characterization performed in this work was efficient to describe the fruits, seeds and germination of this species, thus providing the basis for future studies.