Pak. J. Bot., 38(2): 353-359, 2006. | Back to Contents | ||||
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Updated: 09-07-09 | ||||
HISTO-ARCHITECTURE OF THE PERICARP AND SEED LIBERATION IN THE SCHIZOCARPIC FRUIT OF SIDA RHOMBIFOLIA L. (MALVACEAE) T. V. RAMANA RAO* AND YASH DAVE
Abstract:
The schizocarpic fruit of Sida rhombifolia has been examined
for its histo-architectural features and their functional relationship
with the dehiscence of the fruit. The multicarpellary syncarpous ovary
grows into a schizocarpic fruit. The outer epidermis, mesoderm and inner
epidermis of the ovary wall differentiate into the epicarp, mesocarp
and endocarp respectively. The cells of mature epicarp become elongated
and vacuolated and their outer tangential walls possess thick and corrugated
cuticle. The growth of the parenchymatous mesocarp is due to the increment
in the volume of its constituent mesodermal cells. The tangentially
elongated cells of inner epidermis of the ovary wall under go periclinal
divisions and constitute four to five layered thick endocarp. The thick
walled cells of mature endocarp resemble more or less narrowly elongated
fibers. Due to the disorganization and decay of the cells situated in
the lateral walls and in the central axis, the ripe mericarps with awn-like
apices become free and depart from the central axis. The scattered dry
mericarps later dehisce marginicidally.
Department of Biosciences, Sardar Patel University, Vallabh Vidyanagar
- 388120, Gujarat, India. |
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