INTRODUCTION. Internal Organization of the Plant Body. Summary of Types of Cells and Tissues. General References. DEVELOPMENT OF THE SEED PLANT. The Embryo. From embryo to the Adult Plant. Apical Meristems and Their Derivatives. Differentiation, Specialization, and Morphogenesis. References. THE CELL. Cytoplasm. Nucleus. Plastids. Mitochondria. Microbodies. Vacuoles. Paramural Bodies. Ribosomes. Dictyosomes. Endoplasmic Reticulum. Lipid Globules. Microtubules. Ergastic Substances. References. CELL WALL. Macromolecular Components and Their Organization in the Wall. Cell Wall Layers. Intercellular Spaces. Pits, Primary Pit--Fields, and Plasmodesmata. Origin of Cell Wall During Cell Division. Growth of Cell Wall. References. PARENCHYMA AND COLLENCHYMA. Parenchyma. Collenchyma. References. SCLERENCHYMA. Sclereids. Fibers. Development of Sclereids and Fibers. References. EPIDERMIS. Composition. Developmental Aspects. Cell Wall. Stomata. Trichomes. References. XYLEM: GENERAL STRUCTURE AND CELL TYPES. Gross Structure of Secondary Xylem. Cell Types in the Secondary Xylem. Primary Xylem. Differentiation of Tracheary Elements. References. XYLEM: VARIATION IN WOOD STRUCTURE. Conifer Wood. Dicotyledon Wood. Some Factors in Development of Secondary Xylem. Identification of Wood. References. VASCULAR CAMBIUM. Organization of Cambium. Developmental Changes in the Initial Layer. Patterns and Causal Relations in Cambial Activity. References. PHLOEM. Cell Types. Primary Phloem. Secondary Phloem. References. PERIDERM. Structure of Periderm and Related Tissues. Development of Periderm. Outer Aspect of Bark in Relation to Structure. Lenticels. References. SECRETORY STRUCTURES. External Secretory Structures. Internal Secretory Structures. References. THE ROOT: PRIMARY STATE OF GROWTH. Types of Roots. Primary Structure. Development. References. THE ROOT: SECONDARY STATE OF GROWTH AND ADVENTITIOUS ROOTS. Common Types of Secondary Growth. Variations in Secondary Growths. Physiologic Aspects of Secondary Growth in Roots. Adventitious Roots. References. THE STEM: PRIMARY STATE OF GROWTH. External Morphology. Primary Structure. Development. References. THE STEM: SECONDARY GROWTH AND STRUCTURAL TYPES. Secondary Growth. Types of Stems. References. THE LEAF: BASIC STRUCTURE AND DEVELOPMENT. Morphology. Histology of Angiosperm Leaf. Development. Abscission. References. THE LEAF: VARIATIONS IN STRUCTURE. Leaf Structure and Environment. Dicotyledon Leaves. Monocotyledon Leaves. Gymnosperm Leaves. References. THE FLOWER: STRUCTURE AND DEVELOPMENT. Concept. Structure. Development. References. THE FLOWER: REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE. Microsporogenesis. Pollen. Male Gametophyte. Megasporogenesis. Female Gametophyte. Fertilization. References. THE FRUIT. Concept and Classification. The Fruit Wall. Fruit Types. Fruit Growths. Fruit Abscission. References. THE SEED. Concept and Morphology. Seed Development. Seed Coat. Nutrient Storage Tissues. References. EMBRYO AND SEEDLING. Mature Embryo. Development of Embryo. Classification of Embryos. Seedling. References. Glossary. Index.

Anatomy of Seed Plants

What determines the number and size of the seeds produced by a plant? How often should it reproduce them? How often should a plant produce them? Why and how are seeds dispersed, and what are the implications for the diversity and composition of vegetation? These are just some of the questions tackled in this wide-ranging review of the role of seeds in the ecology of plants. The authors bring together information on the ecological aspects of seed biology, starting with a consideration of reproductive strategies in seed plants and progressing through the life cycle, covering seed maturation, dispersal, storage in the soil, dormancy, germination, seedling establishment, and regeneration in the field. The text encompasses a wide range of concepts of general relevance to plant ecology, reflecting the central role that the study of seed ecology has played in elucidating many fundamental aspects of plant community function.

The ecology of seeds

ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Genetics of Sensitivity to Environmental Factors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Control by Day Length . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Control of floral evocation and morphogenesis

Molecular and cellular

The control of floral evocation and morphogenesis

The uses of saffron through the ages are discussed. Originally prized both as a medicament and as a dyestuff, these applications have declined in modern times; it has also been used as a perfume. The primary market now is as a food spice—by far the world’s most expensive.

Uses of saffron

Means to increase the reproductive capacity of Crocus sativus L., in vitro, are described. Cytokinins and auxin were found to be essential for development of bud explants. Ethylene and ethaphon pretreatments inhibited leaf development but induced corm production. Microsurgery of the apical bud combined with ethylene pretreatment increased both sprouting and corm production.

In vitro corm production in the saffron crocus (Crocus sativus L.).

The developmental processes in Crocus sativus L. were studied with the aim of improving cultivation methods. The effects of planting depth on rooting, sprouting, flowering, leaf development, and corn production were investigated. Total rooting and flowering capacities were not affected by planting depth. In the case of shallow planting, contractile roots, whose function is to lower the daughter corms into the ground, formed singly at die base of daughter corms. The sprouting rate was enhanced or reduced by shallow planting in the field, depending on the prevailing climatic conditions. Leaf elongation increased markedly with the planting depth. The number of sprouting buds and hence that of daughter corms decreased with the planting depth. The average size of the daughter corms was inversely related to their number. In the saffron crocus, the fibrous roots are situated at the base of the mother corm. During the growing season, mother corms shrink and their vitality is lost; assimilate translocatio...

Growth, flowering, vegetative reproduction, and dormancy in the saffron crocus (crocus sativus l.)

Tubers ofCyperus esculentus (tiger nuts) andC. rotundus were used in the ancient eastern Mediterranean as food, perfume and medicine. Tiger nuts that were consumed in Egypt, either boiled in beer, roasted or as sweets made of ground tubers with honey, were found in tombs from the 4th millenniumb.c. to the 5th centurya.d.C. rotundus tubers, a dietary staple in a Stone Age Egyptian community, were used much later in perfumes and medicine by the Egyptians, Mycenaeans and Greeks, and recorded by Theophrastus, Pliny and Dioscorides. An Egyptian preparation made ofCyperus tubers, other plant ingredients, honey and wine, described by Dioscorides, is similar to one in the Ebers papyri, demonstrating its continuity over 1600 years.Cyperus perfumes are mentioned in Mycenaean documents and by classical authors. Classical authors’ views on weeds, and whetherC. rotundus is described as a weed by Dioscorides, are reviewed. The domestication ofC. esculentus, and the evolution of both nutsedges towards weeds are discussed.

Moshe Negbi

Papers

Uses of saffron

In vitro corm production in the saffron crocus (Crocus sativus L.).

Growth, flowering, vegetative reproduction, and dormancy in the saffron crocus (crocus sativus l.)

A sweetmeat plant, a perfume plant and their weedy relatives: A chapter in the history ofCyperus esculentus L. andC. rotundus L.

Seed Germination in Amaranthus retroflexus L. as Affected by the Photoperiod and Age During Flower Induction of the Parent Plants