General

Seeds are protected by external

coverings known as seed coats
Seeds are generally coated with single
seed coat – called as TESTA
In some two seed coats are present
outer TESTA inner
TEGMEN
 Testa
Consists of 4 different layers

1. Epidermis
2. Pigment layer
3. Sclerenchymatous layer
4. Nutrient layer
 Epidermis

Present as
Palisade Beans
Sclereids Capsicum , Nux-vomica
Mucilaginous Linseed , Mustard
Layer of trichomes Strophanthus
Nux-vomica
 Other layers
Pigment layer In all coloured seeds
pigment is deposited in one of the testa
layers
Sclerenchymatous layer has strongly
thickened cell walls
It may be outer solanaceous seeds ,
nux-vomica
strophanthus or
inner castor
 Nutrient layer
Consists of parenchyma cells filled with
starch in early developmental stages
As Development completes starch is used
up & cells collapse to form a band
Present as a perisperm
As endosperm
Cotyledons
The main substance present is aleurone
grains (proteins)
 Markings
o Micropyle hole left over due to
incomplete coverings
o Radicle grows into root
o Plumule grows into stem
o Hilum scar left by removal of seed from its
stalk
o Chalaza base of nucellus
o Raphe vascular strand
o Caruncle localised fleshy growth
arising from micropyle
o Striphiole wing like / barrel shaped
outgrowth along the line of raphe
o Aril fleshy covering arising from hilum
o Arillode same as aril but arise from micropyle