CERCIS-SILIQUASTRUM L - A COMPARATIVE-STUDY OF ENDOSPERM AND EMBRYO DEVELOPMENT AND RESERVE ACCUMULATION

The sequences of developmental events and of reserve deposition stages have been examined in developing seeds of Cercis siliquastrum. Ripe s eeds have a massive persistent endosperm with living cells. Both endos perm and embryo store lipids and proteins; in the endosperm, polysacch arides are also deposited in the cell walls and between the cells. Sta rch is not stored during seed maturation. Oil and protein accumulation occurs synchronously and with the same pattern in endosperm and embry o. Gel electrophoresis shows roughly a similar composition of storage proteins in both.