ARS | Publication request: Microstructure of Desmanthus illinoensis

Submitted to: Proceedings of SPIE
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: June 3, 2010
Publication Date: June 15, 2010
Citation: Wood, D.F., Orts, W.J., Glenn, G.M. 2010. Microstructure of Desmanthus illinoensis. Proceedings of SPIE. 2010. 7729:v1-v8.

Technical Abstract: Structure and histochemistry of mature seeds of Desmanthus illinoensis (Illinois bundle flower) show that the seed has typical legume structure. The seed can be separated into two major fractions including the seed coat/endosperm and the embryo. The seed coat consists of a cuticle, palisade sclereids, hour glass cells and mesophyll. Endosperm is attached to the inner portion of the seed coat and is thicker beneath the pleurogram in the center of the seed. The embryo consists mostly of two large cotyledons, the major storage structures of the seed. The cotyledons are high in protein which occurs in protein bodies. Protein bodies in the cotyledons include those without inclusions, those with phytin inclusions and those with calcium rich crystals. The phytin inclusions are spherical and have high phosphorus and magnesium contents. The calcium rich crystals are also included inside protein bodies and are druse type crystals.