Morphology of fruits, seeds and embryos of Argentinian Capparis L. (Capparaceae)

Abstract

Embryos, seeds and fruits of four species of Capparis L. (Capparaceae) from Argentina are described in this paper: C. flexuosa (L.) L. sensu lato, C. refusa Griseb., C. speciosa Griseb. and C. tweediana Eichl. Chlorophyllous embryos are found in C. flexuosa and C. retusa, species with thin seed coats, dehiscent siliques, and somewhat fleshy red endocarps. Nonchlorophyllous embryos are found in the berry-fruited C. speciosa and C. tweediana, the former with leathery indehiscent fruit wall, the latter with thin-walled dehiscent berries with massive fleshy pulp. The pulp is permeated by seed coat hairs in C. tweediana. The embryos of C. flexuosa, C. retusa and C. tweediana belong to the 'Axile Division, Foliate Subdivision, and Folded Type' of the classification devised by A. C. Martin in 1946. Some features of the embryo of C. speciosa (which are not considered in Martin's classification), support a new subdivision (Massive) and a new morphological type (Unequal cotyledons), characterized by profound anisocotyly, globose shape of the major cotyledon, presence of suberized cells and an undeveloped radicle. Anatomical studies of embryos and seedlings confirm the anisocotyly. © 2004 The Linnean Society of London.