Seed surface morphology in some representatives of the Genus Rhodiola sect. Rhodiola (Crassulaceae) in the Russian Far East

The seed coat morphology and anatomy of Rhodiola angusta, Rh. alsia, Rh. integrifolia, Rh. ishidae, R. rosea subsp. arctica. Rh. rosea subsp. rosea and Rh. rosea subsp. sachalinensis were examined comparatively using scanning and light microscopy methods in order to evaluate their characteristics for use in systematic studies. Based on the Features of the arrangement of cells and cell outline, three morphological types of seed coats were identified - laticostate (Rh. rosea subsp. rosea), tenuicostate (Rh. integrifolia, Rh. rosea subsp. rosea R. rosea subsp. arctica and Rh. rosea subsp. sachalinensis) and colliculate (Rh. alsia, Rh. angusta, Rh. ishidae). Exotesta sculpture features are stable across a range of habitats in all taxa except Rh. rosea subsp. rosea. Considerable variability of seed coat morphology is reported in the latter species and its possible implication for species taxonomy is discussed. (C) 2008 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.