Nature of ergastic substances in some angiospermic seeds — V*

Abstract

SummarySeeds of 200 species of 17 angiospermic families were examined for the presence of alkaloids, cellulose, fats and oils, inulin, protein, starch granules and tannins.Alkaloids, cellulose, fats and oils, inulin, protein and tannins are found to be of sporadic occurrence in taxa studied. Cellulose, fats and oils and inulin were found to be present in all taxa studied. Of the 200 taxa studied, only 17 taxa belonging to 2 families (Caryophyllaceae, Leguminosae) are found to contain starch grains. However, the starch grains present are restricted to a particular type of habit, mainly the herbaceous habit. In general, arborescent taxa lack starch grains. 167 species distributed in 15 families investigated for ergastic substances are reported here for the first time.