Morfologia do fruto e da semente de três espécies de Senna Mill. (Leguminosae - Caesalpinioideae)

Abstract

Legume is the characteristic fruit of Leguminosae, but this botanical family has variability in fruits. The purpose of this study was to describe morphologycally fruits and seeds of Senna obtusifolia (L.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby, S. occidentalis (L.) Link. and S. tapajozensis (Ducke) Irwin and Barneby. General characteristics of fruits were described: morphology, classification, coloration, pericarp texture and consistence, dehiscence and indument. Morphological characters of seeds analyzed: a) external: shape, testa consistence, color and texture, hilum and micropyle position and form; b) internal: seed coat, endosperm and type, shape and color of the embryo. The studied species present legume and follicle fruit types, lineal, and broadly lineal, dry pericarp, cartaceous and subligneous, glabrous without magnifying glass, in brown tones and dehiscent. Seeds were obovate, suborbicular, elliptical with a straight side or irregularly rhombic, tests in brown and grayish tones, complete pleurogram, when present, punctiforme and orbicular hiulum, axial and foliaceous embryo, straight and oblique embryonic axis, and rudimentary plumule. The pericarp indument and pleurogram were the main external feature to separate the studied species.