SEEDS AND FEUIT OF THE GOODENIACEAE E. C. Carolin University of Sydney [Read 30th March, 1966] Synopsis The microscopic structure of the seeds and fruits of the Goodeniaceae is examined. In general, the results are found to correlate with those in previous papers by Carolin and Peacock. Changes in the classifications proposed by previous authors are suggested. A new inter-pretation of the ovary of Scaevola is suggested. Seven seed types are recognized in Gooderiia and its satellite genera, characterized by the relative position, size, and shape of the thickened (cells) and the mucilage cells of the epidermis of the testa. Eight pseudo-fruit types of Scaevola are recognized, based on the constitution of the three " layers " in the wall. Introduction Seeds and fruits play a prominent role in the classification of the Angiosperms and it is frequently instructive to re-evaluate their characters within a group. The form of the fruits together with ovule number of the Goodeniaceae have been used to characterize the genera (Krause, 1912) and even to divide it into new families (Lindley, 1836). Their structure has also been used to distinguish between the species of Goodenia and Velleia, notably with regard to the presence or absence of a wing. No-one, however, has examined the seed structure at the microscopic level. Neither has anyone made any comparison of the seed types of this family and its supposed relations. Materials and Methods In general, the seeds were collected from herbarium specimens, either made especially for the purpose or collected by other workers. Freshly collected seeds were sometimes used. Observations on the fruits were also made largely from herbarium specimens and sometimes in the field. All voucher specimens are cited separately. Herbarium abbreviations are those given in " Index Herb a riorum ", ed. 5. Transverse sections of individual seeds were cut, although generally sections of the endocarp were also included in the case of drupaceous fruits. The testa or endocarp was usually so tough that it had to be softened in 20% nitric acid for periods of up to two months. Sections were cut on a sledge microtome at 20 fi. without embedding or after embedding in collodion using amyl acetate as the solvent and the " dry " method (Steedman, 1960). The vasculation of the seeds was observed in whole mounts of (usually) slightly immature seeds. Those embedded in an endocarp were extracted and those which required it were bleached in a commercial chlorine bleaching agent. They were then cleared and examined in Chloral -hydrate-lactophenol (CLP, Bersier and Bocquet, 1960). The ratio a : b (radicle width : cotyledon width) was measured by a graticule in a binocular stereoscopic-microscope with a x40 magnification. Observations The food-store of the Goodeniaceae was not examined in such detail as the characteristics outlined below. Starch was not detected in any of the seeds examined below, through using polarized light. The following species Proceedings or the Linnean Society of New South Wales, Vol. 91, Part 1
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