Studies on the structure and development of pericarp and seed coat inRotula aquatica Lour

Abstract

The structure and development of pericarp and seed coat in Rotula aquatica Lour. have been described.The fruit is an ellipsoidal drupe with four pyrenes. The pericarp is divisible into an inner hard and stony endocarp, a pulpy mesocarp and a thin-walled epicarp. The seeds are curved and the seed coat is poorly developed. All the cells of the integument excepting those of the epidermis break down during development. The epidermal cells develop thickenings on their inner tangential and radial walls at later stages. The endocarp forms a hard shell around the seeds and therefore the seeds are not released from the fruit.