Morphological aspects and anatomy of the fruit, seeds and seedlings of Pentaclethra macroloba (willd.) Kuntze (Fabaceae)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to describe the morphology of fruit, seeds and seedlings, as well as the anatomy of the seed and the seedling of Pentaclethra macroloba (Willd.) Kuntze. Morpho-biometry was performed on fifty fruit samples and one hundred seeds. To describe the sequences of the morphological events of the germination stages, ten seeds were placed to germinate. Anatomical analysis was performed in a scanning electron microscope with seed samples and seedling leaves. The species has leguminous type fruit of 16.1 to 45.2 cm length and 4.1 to 7.3 cm width; seeds have a pleurogram and are eurispermic, ovoid, deltoid to elliptical and measure from 3.8 to 6.1 cm length and 2.5 to 5.7 cm width. Anatomically, the cotyledons are composed of thin-walled parenchyma cells with various oil cells. The seedlings have bipinnate leaves, with waxes and simple trichomes at the margins of the adaxial surface and paracytic stomata on the abaxial surface. The epicotyl is slightly twisted, with caducous cataphylls and a first pair of alternate eophylls. Germination is of the phanero-hypogean-reserve type. Taxonomic recognition of this species is possible in the field through the external morphological traits and can help in identification of saplings.

Micromorphological evaluation of Daphne mucronata Royle and Myrtus communis L. using scanning electron microscopic techniques

“…Herber (2002) worked on flowers of family Thymelaeaceae, and reported the similar micromorphology under LM and SEM. Soares, Ronaldo, Breno, and Silva (2019) studied the fruit and seeds of Pentaclethra macroloba and reported somewhat similar microscopic structures. Micromorphology of flowers and fruits acts as a diagnostic tool in the quality control of phytomedicines (Rashid et al, 2018).…”

Morphology, germination, and geographic distribution of Pentaclethra macroloba (Fabaceae): a hyperdominant Amazonian tree

“…The low moisture content that the fruit has when ripe (dry fruit), favours the activation of the explosive dehiscence mechanism (the ventral suture and the valves) for the seeds to be expelled (Williamson & Costa, 2000) at a distance of up to 10 m out of the tree canopy (Hartshorn, 1983). The flattened shape (deltoid), together with the accumulation of air between the cotyledons (Soares, Santos, & Silva, 2019) and the specific gravity of the seed (Williamson & Costa, 2000), allows the seed to float in the water of the Amazon estuary, achieving greater efficiency in dispersion.…”

Pentaclethra macroloba: A Review of the Biological, Pharmacological, Phytochemical, Cosmetic, Nutritional and Biofuel Potential of this Amazonian Plant

“…It flowers from July to September, and harvest takes place from January to June. Each fruit can contain four to eight seeds [ 5 , 7 , 12 , 48 , 59 ] with the average ripening time of fruits and seeds varies from 5 months (±3 months) to 3 months (±2 months), respectively [ 7 ]. From thirty-five pods on average, one kilo of seeds can be obtained, which contain approximately 30% oil on a dry basis [ 12 ].…”