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FrUit, seed, and seedling characteristics of Bertholletia, Couratari, and Eschweilera. A-C. Bertholletia excelsa (A-B, Prance et at. 16599). A. Entire fruit. B. Seed. C. Seedling (Prance blastogeny coil,. no. 4). D-F. Couratari guianensis (Magu4ire & Cowan 39318). D. Base of fruit. E. Operculum. F. Seed. G. C. steUlata (Mori et at. 9160) seedling showing flattened stem and foliaceous cotyledons. H-O. Eschweilera spp. H-M. Eschweilera sp. sect. Jugastrum (H-L, Prance et al. 24357). H. Entire fruit. I. Lateral view of seed. J. Cross section of I. K. Lateral view of seed. L. Cross section of K. M. Seedling showing lateral germination (Prance
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Fruit characteristics, embryo types, and funicle-aril features are described for the genera of neotropical Lecythidaceae.
Their bearing on the taxonomy of the family is discussed and a generic key based on fruit and seed features is provided. The
anomalous seed structure ofAsteranthos brasiliensis is pointed out. Known fruit and seed adaptations fo...
Citations
... According to Corner (1976), Brazil nut seeds have an embryo of the hypocotyl type and two teguments. However, the embryo has no delimitation of differentiated cotyledons and is mostly composed of hypocotyl (Prance and Mori, 1978). Scussel et al. (2014) stated that the edible part of the nut, which is the storage tissue, shows several different tissue/cell layers starting from the epidermis (double/triple cells sequence of round and palisade shapes) till the endosperm tissue. ...
Brazil nuts are native from the Amazon rainforest and their nuts are consumed worldwide having good sensory acceptability. However, knowledge gaps remain concerning elemental composition, localization, and interactions in Brazil nuts. This study presents a detailed assessment regarding the concentration and localization of relevant elements in Brazil nuts using different and complementary spectroanalytical techniques. Samples were collected from six sites of the Brazilian Amazon (Acre, Rondônia, Amazonas, Roraima, Pará, and Amapá) and showed results for selenium (Se) concentration ranging from 0.46 to 356 µg g⁻¹ and barium (Ba) from 12.5 to 7,177 µg g⁻¹. Then, a linear regression model fitted between Se and Ba concentration in Brazil nuts provided an R² = 0.30. The spatial distribution of major and trace elements in Brazil nuts varied depending on the site of origin and concentration in the sample. The 2D maps performed via μ-XRF showed that Se accumulates mainly in the outer parenchyma tissue of Brazil nuts seeds forming a “ring” shape while Ba tends to accumulate in the epidermal tissue. The possibility of forming compounds of low solubility in Brazil nuts such as BaSO4 and BaSeO4 tends to increase when Ba and Se are higher respectively in the samples studied.
... The Brazil nut, an economically important tree native to the Amazon Basin (Mori and Prance, 1990), has an embryo similar to that of Garcinia (i.e. macropodial) (Prance and Mori, 1978;Cunha et al., 1996). Seeds have intermediate storage behaviour (Figueirêdo and Carvalho, 1994;Hong et al., 1998). ...
... In fresh seeds of Lecythis ampla (Prance and Mori, 1978;Flores, 2002) and Platonia insignis (Mourão and Beltrati, 1995a, b,c), the large embryo consists mainly of a massive hypocotyl, and the root and shoot are not differentiated into organs, that is, meristems only. The general formula for epicotyl dormancy in these two species is C m ...
This review provides a revised and expanded word-formula system of whole-seed primary dormancy classification that integrates the scheme of Nikolaeva with that of Baskin and Baskin. Notable changes include the following. (1) The number of named tiers (layers) in the classification hierarchy is increased from three to seven. (2) Formulae are provided for the known kinds of dormancy. (3) Seven subclasses of class morphological dormancy are designated: ‘dust seeds’ of mycoheterotrophs, holoparasites and autotrophs; diaspores of palms; and seeds with cryptogeal germination are new to the system. (4) Level non-deep physiological dormancy (PD) has been divided into two sublevels, each containing three types, and Type 6 is new to the system. (5) Subclass epicotyl PD with two levels, each with three types, has been added to class PD. (6) Level deep (regular) PD is divided into two types. (7) The simple and complex levels of class morphophysiological dormancy (MPD) have been expanded to 12 subclasses, 24 levels and 16 types. (8) Level non-deep simple epicotyl MPD with four types is added to the system. (9) Level deep simple regular epicotyl MPD is divided into four types. (10) Level deep simple double MPD is divided into two types. (11) Seeds with a water-impermeable seed coat in which the embryo-haustorium grows after germination ( Canna ) has been added to the class combinational dormancy. The hierarchical division of primary seed dormancy into many distinct categories highlights its great diversity and complexity at the whole-seed level, which can be expressed most accurately by dormancy formulae.
... Fruit in all Lecythidaceae are in the form of a lidded pyxidium, which may or may not be dehiscent [71] (Figure 2) Such fruits are often large and with a highly sclerified pericarp. In addition, levels of seed set in the genus appear to be very low (1.48% for E. bogotensis [59]; 0.0036% for E. nana [65]), and this is also true for many members of the family. ...
Research Highlights: Our study establishes the biennial nature of flowering intensity as a life-time energy-conserving strategy; we show unexpectedly high flower:fruit ratios despite extensive predation of buds and flowers by insect larvae; ‘selective’ bud abortion may be a key annual energy-saving strategy. Background and Objectives: We aim to explain the strongly biennial flowering pattern of Eschweilera tenuifolia, an ecologically key tree species of Amazon blackwater-flooded forest, inundated for up to nine months annually, and with large flowers (6 cm in width). Materials and Methods: We quantified the insect infestation of central Amazonian Eschweilera tenuifolia buds and flowers; we measured nectar production from flower opening onwards, examined flower duration and monitored pollen theft. We tested the role of infestation in bud abortion, nectar production and fruit production initiation. Results: Our study shows extensive predation of buds and flowers by insect larvae, as well as selective abortion of heavily infested buds, and limited loss to pollen thieves which fed largely on infertile fodder pollen. Nectar production peaked in the morning, with no nocturnal nectar production recorded. Sucrose levels were similar to congeneric values (mean 37.4%), and near-constant during production. Flower duration (4–5 days) was longer than reported for other congenerics. Conclusions: Insect infestation of buds can play an important role in regulating flower:fruit ratios, thus setting limits on individual total seed set. Individual Eschweilera tenuifolia appear to invest highly in reproduction every second year. Extended flower duration may be a strategy to enhance pollination success, but increases overall reproductive investment. Abortion of heavily infested buds may minimize allocation of energy to malformed flowers, which have a lower chance of attracting pollinators, thus functioning as a short-term energy-saving strategy. Additionally, biennial flowering in E. tenuifolia is likely to be an energy-conserving response in a highly physiologically-challenging environment. Thus, E. tenuifolia exhibits energy-conservation strategies at two divergent temporal scales.
... The nut holds high lipid content and proteins (Felberg et al., 2009;Santos et al., 2011) besides some bioactive compounds such as essential fatty acids, aminoacids, fiber and minerals (Ca, Cu, Fe, P, Mg, Mn, K e Zn) (Kluczkovski et al., 2015;Michalak & Kieltyka-dadasiewicz, 2018). Belonging to the Lecythidaceae family, the Brazil nut tree is one of the most valuable national species from Brazil (Prance & Mori, 1978). ...
... ex dc. and Lecythis LoefL. can have oblate fruits more similar to our fossils (see illustrations in Prance and Mori 1978). The radiating pattern of placental marks on the opercula of these extant genera shows some similarity to that seen in Bonanzacarpum fruits. ...
Shales of the early middle Eocene Parachute Creek Member of the Green River Formation in Utah, western USA, have yielded a large number of fossil plant remains with abundant Platanaceae, Salicaceae, and Ulmaceae, but many of the constituents of this flora remain indeterminate. Here we present a new fruit type based on distinctive sedimentary molds investigated by reflected light and μCT scanning. The structures are oblate woody fruits, about 18–26 mm wide but only 2–4 mm high, but partially flattened by compression within the sediment. In transverse view they are rounded-polygonal, with 5–6 sides. In lateral view the locule is dome-shaped with 7 to 11 obpyriform grooves radiating from the center of the basal wall. Three-dimensional imaging and both physical and digital sections indicate that the fruits were circumscissile capsules. Although analogous fruits occur in the Lecythidaceae A.R ich ., Bonanzacarpum sprungerorum sp. nov. fruits are much smaller and lack the prominent woody pedicel and corresponding basal scar that characterizes that family. Hence, the systematic position of B. sprungerorum remains uncertain.
... Most of the tissues were reported to consist of undifferentiated embryo cells, surrounded by a thin layer of tubular cells, possibly endosperm [45], and covered by a hard, lignified testa (mostly non-living cells). The embryo is classified as macropodial, in which the cotyledons are very rudimentary, even if present, and most of the tissue is considered to be the hypocotyl [46,47]. The outermost cells of the hypocotyl have large oil bodies and surround a procambium ring which is four to six cell layers thick. ...
More than a billion people worldwide may be selenium (Se) deficient, and supplementation with Se-rich Brazil nuts may be a good strategy to prevent deficiency. Since different forms of Se have different nutritional value, and Se is toxic at elevated levels, careful seed characterization is important. Variation in Se concentration and correlations of this element with other nutrients were found in two batches of commercially available nuts. Selenium tissue localization and speciation were further determined. Mean Se levels were between 28 and 49 mg kg −1 , with up to 8-fold seed-to-seed variation (n = 13) within batches. Brazil nut Se was mainly in organic form. While present throughout the seed, Se was most concentrated in a ring 1 to 2 mm below the surface. While healthy, Brazil nuts should be consumed in moderation. Consumption of one seed (5 g) from a high-Se area meets its recommended daily allowance; the recommended serving size of 30 g may exceed the allowable daily intake (400 µg) or even its toxicity threshold (1200 µg). Based on these findings, the recommended serving size may be re-evaluated, consumers should be warned not to exceed the serving size and the seed may be sold as part of mixed nuts, to avoid excess Se intake.
... The Cariniana genus has evolved an anemochoric dispersion mechanism (Prance and Mori, 1978). According to the average dimensions observed in the current study (width of 49.6 mm and length of 76.1 mm), the seeds of the individuals of C. pyriformis sampled could be classified as small, elongated and of low weight, factors that contribute to their dispersion. ...
Aiming at contributing to the knowledge of the biology and propagation of Cariniana pyriformis Miers, a native species with high timber and ecological attributes, ripe fruits were harvested. Initially, in 400 seeds and 320 fruits, the size, fresh mass, seed water content, number of seeds per fruit, number of seeds per kilogram and fruit color were assessed. Then, a homogenous seed sample was immersed for 24 hours in five doses (0, 250, 500, 750 and 1000 mg.L-1) of gibberellins (GA3) and cultivated in a greenhouse. For this, a completely randomized design was adopted with six replications of 25 seeds each. Fruits and seeds showed values, on average ± standard deviation, of 76.1 ± 11 mm and 48.1 ± 8.2 mm in length, and 49.6 ± 5 mm and 7.2 ± 0.7 mm of width, respectively, with 62.3 ± 22.3 g of fresh mass per fruit and 13 ± 3.1 seeds per fruit. One kilogram corresponded on average to 6715 seeds with 11% water content. In the greenhouse, emergence speed index and emergency percentage of seedlings increased as the GA3 dose increased, allowing a more concentrated emergency process in a shorter period. Highest variation was found for fresh mass per fruit (CV= 35%) and number of seeds per fruit (CV= 24%). Immersion in 1000 mg.L-1 in GA3 for 24 hours triggers seedling emergency in C. pyriformis (approx. 71%), and then it is recommended for plant propagation, since the treatment accelerated and synchronized seedling emergency.v.25 n.2 2019
... The seed coat is lignified, hard, rough, permeable to water (Müller et al., 1995), and offers mechanical restriction to germination (Müller and Freire, 1979). The embryo is mainly a large, reservestoring hypocotyl, no distinction of cotyledons is visible with an ellipsoid shape being the shoot pole is sharper than the root pole on the opposite end (Prance and Mori, 1978). ...
... However, the fruit of Cyclocarya is distinguished from the other taxa by its anastomosing wing venation and its absence of a receptacle rim (perianth disk scar). The fruit of Paliurus is characterized by a bilocular or trilocular endocarp with a persistent receptacle rim (Burge and Manchester 2008), whereas our fossil has a single locule and no rim, Asteranthos has a calyx persistent on the fruit as a circular rim (Prance and Mori 1978), and the western African species Dioncophyllum thollonii Baill. possesses a larger ellipsoidal wing (approximately 5-12 cm in diameter) with subparallel veins (Dong et al. 2015), rather than the anastomosing ones of Cyclocarya and the fossil. ...
Premise of research. Cyclocarya Iljinskaya (Juglandaceae) is a genus with a single living species that is endemic to central and south China. The genus has an abundant North American and Eurasian fossil record from the Paleocene to the Pliocene, documenting its spread across Europe to western Siberia during the Oligocene and its arrival in Japan by the Miocene. However, there have been no fossil occurrences of Cyclocarya near its modern distribution. In this study, we describe a new species of Cyclocarya from the upper Miocene Nanlin Formation in Lianghe County, western Yunnan Province, southwest China, and discuss its biogeographic implications.Methodology. We examined the fossil fruit using LM and SEM, and we compared its morphology with fruits of fossil Cyclocarya and extant Cyclocarya paliurus (Batalin) Iljinsk.Pivotal results. The fossil fruit of Cyclocarya simipaliurus sp. nov. consists of a small nutlet that is surrounded by a circular and flange-like wing. The nutlet is circular in plan view and oblate in longitudinal view. Nutlet structure and the epidermal characteristics of the wing indicate that this fossil fruit is almost identical to that of the extant species, C. paliurus.
Conclusions. The specimen reported here is the only reliable fossil of Cyclocarya known from China. The new fossil species helps to fill a significant gap in the fossil record of Cyclocarya, indicating that the genus had reached the westernmost boundary of its modern distribution by the late Miocene. Western Yunnan had a warm and humid climate during the late Neogene, and the rapid uplift of the Yunnan Plateau began in the Pliocene. Pleistocene glaciations may have forced Cyclocarya to retreat from western Yunnan, and the uplifted mountains and deep river valleys might have posed barriers for reconnection during the interglacials.
... Asteranthos Desf. is a Neotropical genus and contains a single species, A. brasiliensis, which is a species native to Amazonian Brazil and Venezuela [33]. Its fruit is globose to ovate, monospermous and indehiscent; the wing is membranaceous, and the calyx is persistent on the fruit as a circular rim [10,34,35]. Dioncophyllum thollonii Baill. is a member of the family Dioncophyllaceae, which is predominantly restricted to western Africa tropical rainforests. ...
Paliurus favonii Unger is recognized and described based on fruits from the Oligocene Ningming flora of Guangxi, South China. Characteristics of the present specimens include circular winged fruits that are 10.0-11.5 mm in diameter with a central endocarp at 3.0 to 4.0 mm in diameter. The specimens fall into the morphological range of the fossil species P. favonii, which has been observed in other Cenozoic sites in the Northern Hemisphere. The present discovery represents the lowest latitude distribution of P. favonii in the world, and we are presenting the first P. favonii fossil described with detailed cuticular characteristics from China. Further, this finding demonstrates that the genus existed in the Oligocene Ningming region, South China, and provides new information for understanding the fossil history. The dispersal mode for winged fossils demonstrates that wind dispersal is well-represented in the Oligocene Ningming flora.
