Cuscuta seeds: Diversity and evolution, value for systematics/identification and exploration of allometric relationships
Fig 1
Seed features revealed with scanning electron microscopy.
A. Epidermis surface, C. lupuliformis (subg. Monogynella). B–D. Overall seed morphology and surface of dry epidermis. B. Cuscuta europaea (subg. Cuscuta). C–D. Cuscuta cephalanthi (subg. Grammica). C. Entire seed. D. Detail of pitted epidermis of dry seeds. E–F. Different stages of epidermis rehydration. E. Cuscuta gronovii var. gronovii. F. Cuscuta cephalanthi. G–H. Hilum area (black arrows indicate hilar fissure). G. Cuscuta approximata. H. Cuscuta mitriformis. I–K. Embryo morphology. I. Filiform and coiled, C. pacifica. J–K. Globose toward the radicular end. J. Cuscuta nevadensis. K. Cuscuta microstyla. L–M. Longitudinal sections through the hilum area showing all the seed components. L. Cuscuta epithymum. M. Cuscuta globulosa. N–P. Seed coat anatomy. N. Cuscuta lupuliformis. O. Cuscuta alata. P. Cuscuta gronovii var. gronovii. Ep = epidermis; En = endosperm; E = Embryo; P1 = Inner or single palisade layer; P2 = Outer palisade layer. Scale bars. A, E, F = 200 μm; D = 40 μm; G, H = 100 μm; B, C, I–M = 0.5 mm; N–P = 50 μm.