Abstract:

The morphological diversity of normal seeds and epiphyllous seeds of 8 Ginkgo biloba var. epiphylla trees discovered in Shandong Province was comparatively investigated. The results showed that: 1) the mature epiphyllous seed had significant sarcotesta,mesdotesta,endotesta,endosperm and collar. The epiphyllous seeds had morphological diversity,and 1-2(15) ovules in various size bore on the leaf apex or margin and the collar was discontinuous. The end of mesdotesta was sharp,erect,or beak-like; the middle line on endotesta lied in micropylar part,and the dark-red endotesta in upper part was atrophy or deletion. The kernel had endosperm,but no embryo. 2) Both seed weight and nut weight of epiphyllous seeds accounted for 1/3 of normal seeds,and the kernel accounted for 1/4 of normal one. The ratio of nut to seed on normal seeds and epiphyllous seeds were 25.23% and 20.16%,respectively,as well as the kernel to nut was 74.26% and 48.91%. This study provided an illustration of the botanic and culture nomenclature of Ginkgo biloba ovule and seed.

Key words: Ginkgo biloba var. epiphylla, epiphyllous seeds, integument, collar, sarcotesta, endosperm