Seed morphology of some tribes of Brassicaceae (implications for taxonomy and species identification for the flora of Egypt)

Seed morphology of 45 taxa belonging to 23 genera of Brassicaceae were examined using light and scanning electron microscopy. The taxa included representatives of the tribes Arabideae, Euclidieae, Hesperideae, Lunarieae, Matthioleae, and Sisymbrieae, which all occur in Egypt. Macro- and micromorphological characters, including seed shape, colour, size, the position of the radicle relative to the cotyledons, epidermal cell shape, anticlinal boundaries, outer periclinal cell wall and relief of outer cell walls, are presented. Three types of basic anticlinal cell wall boundaries are recognised and six different shapes of the outer periclinal cell wall are described. A key for the identification of the investigated taxa based on seed characters is provided.