Structural and morphogenetic features of Erythronium L. (Liliaceae) fruits

Abstract

The Lilioideae fruits are loculicidal capsules, with a large number of seeds, which are in most cases anemochorous. Gagea and Erythronium are characterized by a greater degree of endosperm development compared to the rest of the Lilioideae and indicating myrmecochoria elaiosomes on the seeds. To identify the structural features of the fruits of myrmecochore Lilioideae and to determine the morphogenetic patterns of the their fruits development, anatomical structure of the ovary wall and the pericarp of Erythronium species were studied with light microscopy method. A large number of cavities in the pericarp of the Erythronium species have been identified. The morphogenetic pattern of the presence of these cavities is the saving of resources for the development of pericarp due to the formation of elaiosomes in seeds, which is more energy- and resource-intensive compared to the production of anemochorous seeds.