Original Research

A study of ovule-to-seed development in Ceratiosicyos (Achariaceae) and the systematic position of the genus

E. M. A. Steyn, A. E. van Wyk, G. F. Smith
Bothalia | Vol 32, No 2 | a490 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/abc.v32i2.490 | © 2002 E. M. A. Steyn, A. E. van Wyk, G. F. Smith | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 12 September 2002 | Published: 12 September 2002

About the author(s)

E. M. A. Steyn, National Botanical Institute., South Africa
A. E. van Wyk, H.G.W.J. Schweickerdt Herbarium, Department of Botany, University of Pretoria, South Africa
G. F. Smith, National Botanical Institute., South Africa

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Abstract

A light microscope study of developing ovules and seeds of Ceratiosicyos laevis (Thunb.) A.Meeuse was undertaken to aug­
ment an investigation of ovule and seed structure in Achariaceae. a tri-generic family comprising three species of herbaceous
perennials endemic to southern Africa. Tests for myrmecochory suggest that seed of Ceratiosicyos Nees is not dispersed by ants
like those of Acharia Thunb. and Guthriea Bolus. Structural differences include the absence of a raphal ridge and imbibition lid
and the presence of long funicles and medium-sized embryos in Ceratiosicyos.

Keywords

Achariaceae; <i>Ceratiosicyos</i> Nees. embryology; fringe layer; sarcotesta. seed coat; transfer cells

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