Fruits and seeds

Dicot seed - Lima bean

• Thin seed coat
• Hilum and micropyle visible on surface
• Hilum - attachment
• Micropyle - opening in the integuments
• If the seed coat is removed the two large food-storing cotyledons are visible

Dicot embryo

• Consists of :
• Epicotyl - part that develops into the shoot; typically has embryonic leaves - also called a plumule
• Hypocotyl - portion of embryo between cotyledon attachment and radicle (between stem and root)
• Radicle - the embryonic root

Monocot seed

• Cotyledon transfers food from the endosperm to the embryo
• In several monocot families large amounts of endosperm are present

Monocot seeds - Corn kernel

• Reminder: a grain is a one-seeded fruit in which the seed coat is fused to the pericarp
• Extensive endosperm occupies much of the seed
• Small embryo with a single cotyledon
• Presence of a coleoptile and the coleorhiza