Glossary Details – French Guianan E-Flora Project

Glossary Details:

Title: Bowed cotyledons and seed air chamber of Allantoma integrifolia. Photo S. A. Mori.

Description: Bowed cotyledons and seed air chamber of Allantoma integrifolia based on Cid Ferreira et al. 6760 from the state of Amazonas, Brazil. The seed on the left shows the hemispherical side up while the one on the right shows the flat side up. Note the bowed cotyledons in the cross sections and the seed rim on the right hand seed. This is a terra firme species so the bowed cotyledons may represent a vestigial adaptation to water dispersal or they may also represent an adaptation to wind dispersal by making the seeds more bouyant in the air. Note that the seed wings have been destroyed on the two seeds shown here.

Term:

Cotyledons bowed

Definition:

Referring to cotyledons that are arched in such a way that they form an air chamber thought to aid in dispersal, either by the wind or by water.

Notes:

We have not sectioned enough seeds of species of Allantoma to be sure if we are interpreting the embryo correctly. We have some indication, that seeds of other species of this genus are not bowed.