Vascular bundle connection between seed stalk and seed coat of Caragana arborescens

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the morphology, transmission route of photosynthetic products in the seed stalk of Caragana arborescens Lam. at various stages after flowering and evaluate the role of the seed stalk in seed maturation using scanning electron microscopy. We found that the mature seed stalk mainly consisted of vessels, sclerenchymatous cells and parenchymatous cells. Elongated cells formed a ring at the junction between the seed stalk and seed, and a large hollow was produced by two layers of sclerenchymatous cells in the interior seed, which functions to sustain seed growth. The opening in the center of the ring was closed during an early stage of seed development, and the opening enlarged as the seed matured. There were two routes for material transport, which started from the seed stalk: one from the seed coat to the embryo, and another directly entering the embryo. Vessels, which are abundant in the seed stalk, are the pathway for absorption of nutrients by the seeds. The vessels were densely packed in the seed stalk, and secondary thickening of the cell wall of the vessels was characterized by net thread thickening, while the secondary thickening of the cell wall of the vessels within the seed was characterized by screw thread thickening. The morphological characteristics of the vessels were adaptive to its functions.