Morphology of fruit, seeds and initial stages of Helicostylis tomentosa

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to analyze the complex morphological characteristics of fruits and diaspores of inharé, and provide support for the recognition of the plant in the early stage of development. The inflorescences have on average 2.2 cm x 2.9 cm x 2.6 cm, with 4-10 fruits entered the fleshy perianth. The fruits, monospermics drupes, have a fine-gelatinous pericarp. The endocarp form the pyrene, globular, slightly flattened, brown opaque, smooth and hardened, measuring 0.9 cm x 0.8 cm x 0.6 cm. The seed has exalbuminous membranous integument; the embryo is full axial and reserves are in crass and isofils cotyledons. Germination is kind hypogeal cryptocotylar; with the removal of the core the primary root protrusion occurs after 10 days of sowing and the normal seedlings at 30 days is completely formed. The seedling has the first eophylls with alternates spirals phyllotaxis, elliptical shape with base attenuate, apex acute to acuminate and jagged edges; epicotyl is cylindrical, about 1.0 cm long, has cataphylls; the root system is well developed, with many secondary roots. Young plants, between 50 cm and 115 cm in height, show morphological similarities to adult individual mainly in leaves and stems.