Exomorphic Characters of Seeds of Some Species of Capparaceae Family in Taif, KSA

Abstract

Seed exomorphic characters of six species belonging to four genera of family Capparaceae were studied using light microscope (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in order to determine the importance of seed features as taxonomic evidence. These species are Cadaba farinosa Forssk, Capparis decidua (Forssk). Edgew, Capparis cartilaginea Decne, Dipterygium glaucum Decne, Maerua crassifolia Forssk and Maerua oblongifolia (Forssk.) A. Rich. The diagnostic characters at level of the general and specific level are shape of seed, size, color, texture and seed coat surface. There is a wide range of variations of seed shape among the studied species. LM revealed that the studied seeds are mostly varying from ovate to globose or cardiac- shape. All of the seeds lack wings except Dipterygium glaucum Decne. and most of the seed is coarse texture. There are six main types of seed surface sculptures revealed by SEM investigation at higher magnifications; reticulate, rugose-striate, winding undulate, ribbed and papillate.