Winterfat diaspore morphology

Abstract

Diaspores are disseminules specialized for dispersal and for other functions contributing to seedling establishment and seedling vigor. The winterfat (Eurotia lanata) diaspore consists of hairy bracts enveloping a utricle. Testa, embryo, and perisperm make up the enclosed seed. This general diaspore morphology also occurs in Atriplex and Grayia. The potential for seedling establishment is not equal between diaspores and diaspore subunits; therefore, authors should take care to use terminology that refers to the correct entity.