Desenvolvimento da semente de Chrysophyllum gonocarpum (MART. & EICHL.) ENGL. (SAPOTACEAE)

the object of this study was to describe the embryo, endosperm and integument development of chrysophyllum gonocarpum (mart. & eichl.) engl. seed. the ovule is hemitropous, with embryo development being of the caryophyllad type and the endosperm of the nuclear type. the mature embryo presents a short and cylindrical hypocotyl-radicle axis with foliaceous cotyledons. the mature seed stores aleurone grains and lipids in the cotyledons and in the remaining endosperm cells. the exotesta is composed of several layers of sclerenchymatous cells, also present in the hilum region. this exotesta feature is registered for the first time in chrysophyllum seeds and might have ecological and taxonomic implications.