SPINY HOPSAGE FRUIT AND SEED MORPHOLOGY

Rangeland seedings of spiny hopsage (Grayia spinosa [Hook] Meg.) may b e made with either bracted utricles or seeds, Problems have resulted f rom inconsistent use of terminology describing these 2 structures and the fact their germination and seedling emergence is not the same with similar environmental conditions and seeding techniques, We examined the flower, fruit, and seed morphology of spiny hopsage microscopicall y to resolve these discrepancies and provide a basis for discussing th e functional roles of bracted utricle and seed components, The spiny h opsage fruit is a utricle consisting of a single disk-shaped seed cont ained within a thin pericarp, The utricle is enclosed in 2 papery brac teoles. Failure to recognize the obscure pericarp plus inaccurate use of terminology appear responsible for confusion in the literature, The presence and condition of seed and fruit structures can affect seedin g requirements and embryo response to environmental conditions, Conseq uently, accurate identification of all structures associated with the fruit or seed combined with a review of seed biology and seedling esta blishment Literature is essential for designing effective wildland see ding practices.