Seed Morphology of Plantago in China and Its Taxonomic Significance

Liu Jun-Zhe, Zhang Qing-Min, Guo Shu-Hua, Zhou Xing-Di

Received:1900-01-01 Revised:1900-01-01 Online:1992-03-18 Published:1992-03-18
Contact: Liu Jun-Zhe

Abstract:

Studied in this work was seed morphology of the genus Plantago (2 subgenera, 8

sections, 17 species and １ variety )in China. The sculpture was observed under scanning elec-

tion microscope. Four forms of seed morphology are recognized as follows: (1)Multi-angu-

lar type: seeds are variously angulate, yellow-brown or black, 6-30 in a fruit; seed-coat

sculpture ranges from reticulate to papillate. It occurs in Subgen. Plantago Sect. Polyneuron:

P. scheideri, P. denstflorus, P. major, P. hostifolia, P. asiatica, P. erosa and P. centralis. (2)

Navicular type: seeds are navicular, yellow, brown to black, 2 in a fruit; seed-coat sculpture

is reticulate. It was found in Subgen. Plantago Sect. Novorbis: P. virginica; Sect.

Arnoglossum: P. lanceolata; Sect. Leucopsyllium: P. minuta, P. lessingii and P. aristata and

Subgen. Psyllium Sect. Psyllium: P. indica. (3)Ovoid type: seeds are long-ovoid,

yellow-brown, black and lustrous. Seed-coat sculpture scali-ratiform. P. maxima in Subgen.

Plantago Sect. Lamprosantha belongs to this type. (4)Recti-circular type: seeds are recti-cir-

cular, yellow-brown, black, 1-2 or 4-5 in a fruit; seed-coat sculpture is reticulate and

papillate. It was found in P. maritima var. salsa of Subgen. Plantago Sect. Coronopus and P.

depressa, P. camtschatica and P. arachnoidea of Sect. Mesembrynia. The seed morphology

and seed-coat sculture exhibit specific characters, by which some of confused species can be

clarified and a new species, P. densiflorus J. Z. Liu. is established.

The present author’s seed morphology classification is in accordance with Pilger’s system

of the genus, which was established using other features.

Key words: Plantago, Seed morphology, Seed-coat Sculpture

Liu Jun-Zhe, Zhang Qing-Min, Guo Shu-Hua, Zhou Xing-Di. Seed Morphology of Plantago in China and Its Taxonomic Significance[J]. .

[1]	BI Hai-Yan, LIN Qi, LIU Chang-Jiang, ZHAO Jian-Cheng. Seed morphology of Kadsura Juss.(Schisandraceae) in relation to its taxonomic significance [J]. , 2002, 40(6): 505-510.
[2]	LI Zhen-Yu, CHANG Yong-Tian, Ibraim ERSHIDI. A newly recorded species of Plantago　Linn. from China [J]. , 2002, 40(5): 470-472.
[3]	LI Zhen-Yu. Taxonomic notes on two species in the genus Plantago Linn. from China [J]. , 2001, 39(5): 451-454.
[4]	Hong De-Yuan, Zhang Tie-Jun. A Revision of Lobelia Subgen. Tupa (Campanulaceae) in China [J]. , 1992, 30(2): 146-162.
[5]	Liu Jun-Zhe. New Plants of Plantago from China [J]. , 1989, 27(4): 298-300.

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