Seed morphology
Embryo
The embryo represents the new
plant generation and develops
after the sexual union of the
male and female gametes during
fertilization.
Its basic structure is an embryo
axis with growing points at each
end —one for the shoot and one
for the root — and one or more
cotyledons attached to the
embryo axis.
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Cotyledons
Embryo
axis
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Shoot
meristem)
Radicle
(root meristem)
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Seed morphology
Embryo types
Basal - Rudimentary Basal - Broad
Axial - Linear
(straight)
Peripheral
Basal - Capitate
Axial – Linear
(coiled)
Foliate - Spatulate Foliate - Investing Foliate - Bent
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Basal - Lateral
Axial - Miniature
Foliate - Folded
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Seed morphology
Embryo
Basal - Rudimentary
Rudimentary embryos very small
relative to the seed and
endosperm. It usually has small
but discernable cotyledons.
They only occur in monocots and
dicots and is considered a
primitive evolutionary condition.
Families include:
Annona (Annonaceae)
Holly (Aquifoliaceae)
Magnolia (Magnoliaceae)
Barberry (Berberidaceae)
Buttercup (Ranunculaceae)
Poppy (Paparavacea)
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Embryo
Pawpaw
Asimina triloba
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Seed morphology
Embryo
Basal - Broad
Broad embryos have small
undifferentiated tissue at
the base of the seed.
They occur in selected
monocots such as the rush
(Juncaceae) and water lily
(Nymphaceae) families.
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Seed morphology
Embryo
Basal - Capitate
Capitate embryos form at the
base of the seed and have a
small undifferentiated embryo
with a spreading cap.
They occur in selected monocots
such as the sedge (Cyperaceae)
and spiderwort (Commelinaceae)
families .
Embryo
Sedge
Carex grayii
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Seed morphology
Embryo
Basal - Lateral
Lateral embryos are
differentiated and
pressed against one
side of the seed.
They only occur in
monocots and are
representative by the
grasses (Poaceae).
Embryo
Corn
Zea mays
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Seed morphology
Embryo
Peripheral
Peripheral embryos grows along the
edge of the seed. The embryo
surrounds an inner nutritive tissue
derived from the nucellus called
perisperm.
Embryo
Perisperm
They occur in one dicot order
(Caryophyllales).
Families include:
Amaranth (Amaranthaceae)
Cactus (Cactaceae)
Pinks (Caryophyllaceae)
Knotweeds (Polygonaceae)
Purslane (Portulaccaceae).
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Swiss chard
Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla
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Seed morphology
Embryo
Axial - Linear
Linear embryos are longer
than they are wide. The
cotyledons are not wider
than the embryo axis.
Ginkgo
They are commonly
straight, but can be curved
or coiled.
They occur in gymnosperms,
dicots and moncots.
Tomato - Solanum
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Seed morphology
Embryo
Axial - Miniature
Miniature embryos are small and
may be undifferentiated. Seed
size is often tiny.
They occur monocots and dicots.
Families include:
Begonia (Begoniaceae)
Campanula (Campanulaceae)
Gentian (Gentianaceae)
Heath (Ericaceae)
Scullcap (Scrophulariaceae)
Orchid (Orchidaceae)
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Orchid seeds
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Seed morphology
Embryo
Foliate - Spatulate
Spatulate embryos have
wide, flat cotyledons that
occupy most of the center
of the seed.
They occur only in dicots.
Radicle
Cotyledons
Apple (Malus)
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Seed morphology
Embryo
Foliate - Investing
Investing embryos are similar to
spatulate embryos except the
cotyledons are thick and overlap
the short axis.
They occur only in dicots.
Families include:
Oak (Fagaceae)
Walnut (Juglandaceae)
Legumes (Caesalpinioideae and
Mimosoideae subfamilies)
Laurel (Lauraceae)
Buckthorn (Rhamnaceae)
Mint (Lamiaceae)
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Radicle
Cotyledons
White oak
Quercus alba
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Seed morphology
Embryo
Foliate - Bent
Bent embryos result from
the embryo the embryo
turning inside the seed. This
forms a “jack-knife”
appearance. The cotyledons
fill most of the seed.
They occur only in dicots in
such families as the legumes
(Fabaceae), mustard
(Brassicaceae) and cashew
(Anacardiaceae) families.
Radicle
Cotyledons
Japanese pagodatree
Sophora japonica
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Seed morphology
Embryo
Foliate - Folded
Folded embryos have wide
cotyledons that are folded and
appear wavy in the seed.
Folded
cotyledons
They occur only in dicots.
Families include:
Maple (Aceraceae)
Geranium (Geraniaceae)
Mallow (Malvaceae)
Morning glory (Convulvulaceae)
Radicle
Morning glory
Convulvulus
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