Micromorphological Features of the Seed Surface of the Genus Hippophae L.

Seed morphology and micromorphology of the seed coat of six species and six subspecies of Hippophae L.from China were examined by stereoscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM).The results showed that these species were obviously different in seed shape and seed coat micromorphology.These micromorphological features were important in their classification.The seed surface morphologies were divided into four types: paracerebroid, lineate-foveate, nearly smooth-fine verrucose, and shallow foveate-verrucose.Degree of separation of endocarp and seed coat indicated that they were also divided into two types: close combination and separation.The results of the study partly support Lian’s viewpoint that Hippophae is divided into two sections: Sect.1.Hippophae and Sect.2.Gyantsenses, but also showed there were some differences.