SEM and stereoscope microscope observations on the seeds of some Ornithogalum (Hyacinthaceae) species

The paper presents the results of the study on seed morphology of four following Ornithogalum species: O. boucheanum Asch., O. nutans L., O. pyrenaicum L., and O. umbellatum L. Several macro-and micro-morphological characters were observed using stereoscope and scanning electron microscope. Differences were found especially in micromorphological characters of the seed surface, the shape of raphe and micropylar pole. These characters can be used as an additional taxonomic criterion at specific level for this genus. Only the seeds of O. boucheanum and O. nutans - two closely related and morphologically very similar species are practically undistinguished.