Production and morphology of fruit and seeds in Genisteae (Fabaceae) of south-west Spain

Abstract

The productivity and morphology of fruit and seeds were studied in 30 species (and subspecies) of the tribe Genisteae (Fabaceae) in south-west Spain. The morphological characters of greatest taxonomic value both for the segregation of the two subtribes (Genistinae and Lupininae) recognized in Genisteae and for the delimitation of the lower taxonomic levels (genus and species) are the size of the pod and characters of the pericarp, the colour and weight of the seeds, whether or not an aril exists, and the shape, size, and position of the hilum. In contrast, characters of little taxonomic interest are pod colour, shape and number of seeds, and characters of the lens. There were also found to be major relationships between fruit and seed, and between these and other floral (e.g. corolla size) or reproductive (e.g. pollen/ovule [P/O] and seed/ovule [S/O] ratios) attributes. Thus in this tribe, pod size was positively correlated with corolla size, seed size, the number of viable seeds/fruit, and the S/O and P/O ratios. Corolla size was positively correlated with the number of viable seeds/fruit and with the seed weight. Similarly, the number of seeds/fruit was positively correlated with the fruit's weight and with the number of ovules/ovary. Also, the weight of the seeds was positively correlated with the pollen/ovule ratio. There was also positive correlation between the S/O and P/O ratios.