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HISTO-ARCHITECTURE OF THE PERICARP AND SEED LIBERATION IN THE SCHIZOCARPIC FRUIT OF SIDA RHOMBIFOLIA L. (MALVACEAE)

T. V. RAMANA RAO* AND YASH DAVE

Abstract: The schizocarpic fruit of Sida rhombifolia has been examined for its histo-architectural features and their functional relationship with the dehiscence of the fruit. The multicarpellary syncarpous ovary grows into a schizocarpic fruit. The outer epidermis, mesoderm and inner epidermis of the ovary wall differentiate into the epicarp, mesocarp and endocarp respectively. The cells of mature epicarp become elongated and vacuolated and their outer tangential walls possess thick and corrugated cuticle. The growth of the parenchymatous mesocarp is due to the increment in the volume of its constituent mesodermal cells. The tangentially elongated cells of inner epidermis of the ovary wall under go periclinal divisions and constitute four to five layered thick endocarp. The thick walled cells of mature endocarp resemble more or less narrowly elongated fibers. Due to the disorganization and decay of the cells situated in the lateral walls and in the central axis, the ripe mericarps with awn-like apices become free and depart from the central axis. The scattered dry mericarps later dehisce marginicidally.
 

Department of Biosciences, Sardar Patel University, Vallabh Vidyanagar - 388120, Gujarat, India.
Corresponding Author: tadapanenirao@yahoo.com