Fruit ontogenesis in Clusia parviflora Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd. (Clusiaceae)

Abstract

Aspects of the morpho-anatomy of developing fruits and seeds of Clusia parviflora are presented and discussed as a continuation of the study of these organs in Clusiaceae. The fruit is a septifrage capsule; the suberized exocarp is derived from the external epidermis of the ovary. The mesocarp originates from the ovarian mesophyll and remains parenchymal in nature. The endocarp is derived from the internal epidermis of the ovary and the endocarp is derived from the inner ovary epidermis as well as from three to four adjacent subepidermal layers, with tangentially elongated cells which become lignified and contribute to fruit dehiscence. The ovules are anatropous, bitegmic, with an endothelium, and give rise to equally anatropous seeds. The exotesta has cells containing phenolic compounds. The exotegmen consists entirely of sclerids with anticlinal and undulating cell walls, while the rest of the tegmen collapses during maturation. The embryo is slightly curved and the hypocotyl-radicle axis is well developed, with two very small cotyledons. There seems to be uniformity in the genus Clusia as regards the final number of layers in the mature seed coat, being evident the continuous lignified exotegmen and the hypocotylar embryo. It should be pointed out that the number of layers in the ovule integument can be used for diagnosis at the species level