Surface features of seeds in Thermopsis (Leguminosae)

›› 2000, Vol. 38 ›› Issue (6): 582-587.

SA Ren, CHEN Chia-Jui

Abstract:

In this paper, surface features of seeds in 18 species in the genus Thermopsis R. Br.

(Leguminosae) were observed under scanning electron microscope (SEM). Their seed surface was

found to be quite well differentiated and to have important taxonomic value. T. alpina, T. barba-

ta, T. inflata, T. lupinoides, T. licentiana, T. smithiana, T. turkestanica had reticulate seed

surface; T. californica, T. divaricarpa, T. macrophylla, T. mollis had finely reticulate seed

surface; T. gracilis, T. montana, T. fabacea had relatively smooth seed surface; T. alterniflo-

ra had irregularly striate seed surface; T. chinensis had mucilaginous seed surface; T. rhombifolia

had striate seed surface, and T. villosa had fragmented sculptures on seed surface. Some taxonomi-

cally disputable species in Thermopsis can be distinguished by the surface features of seeds.

Key words: Thermopsis R．Br., Surface features of seeds

SA Ren, CHEN Chia-Jui. Surface features of seeds in Thermopsis (Leguminosae)[J]. , 2000, 38(6): 582-587.

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