Fruit structure of Hippophae rhamnoides cv. Indian Summer (sea buckthorn)

Abstract

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) (Elaeagnaceae) has become of interest as a crop because of the nutritive qualities of its fruit. In this study, structural features of the fruit of H. rhamnoides ssp. cv. Indian Summer were examined by light microscopy. Additional information was obtained for branches, racemes, pedicels, female flowers, and seeds. Each fruit contains an embryo encased in a seed coat that is surrounded by a thin seed sac or pericarp with a persistent style, all of which is enclosed in the hypanthium. The hypanthium, which forms the fleshy portion of the fruit, contains vascular bundles, storage tissues, an endodermis, and an epidermis. The epidermis contains many trichomes and is confluent with the exterior of the pedicel. The calyx of the fruit is slightly open, and trichomes are present in the calyx opening, in the seed cavity, and on the tail of the seed sac. Harvest by removing the pedicel from the fruit rips the epidermis, which exposes fruit flesh and results in loss of juice from the fruit. Information on fruit structure is relevant to methods of harvesting.Key words: Hippophae, Elaeagnaceae, rhamnoides, mongolica Rousi, seed, microscopy.