Variations in the Anatomical Features of Cotyledon Areoles in Leguminosae

Abstract

Variations of anatomical features of the cotyledon areoles in dormant mature seeds were examined in representative species of 23 tribes of subfamily Papilionoideae of the family Leguminosae. The surfaces of the areoles are sunken or flat; the epidermal cells of the areoles are smaller or larger than those of the surrounding cells; the cells of several cell layers abutting inwards against the epidermis of the areoles are usually smaller than those of the surrounding part; stainability of cells of the cotyledon areoles with iron-hematoxylin is usually similar in degree to that of the surrounding cells, but sometimes differs in lacking unstained granules in the cells of the cotyledon areoles.