Seed morphology of Vriesea friburgensis var. paludosa L.B. Sm. (Bromeliaceae)

The Brazilian Atlantic Forest is a biodiversity hotspot, and bromeliads are omnipresent in this biome. This study was aimed at characterizing both morphological and histochemical aspects of Vriesea friburgensis var. paludosa L.B. Sm. seeds. The seeds are filiform with a brown seed coat and yellowish-colored plumose appendages. Seeds are typically 4.4 mm long, 0.5 mm wide, and 1000 seeds weigh 683.8 mg. The seed coat presents phenolic compounds. Starch represents the main reserve compound in the endosperm; however, it is also present in smaller amounts in the embryo. The embryo occupies one-third of the seed and has a zone of constriction in the hypocotyl-radicle axis. The results of this work will contribute to the overall biology of V. friburgensis var. paludosa , as well as its taxonomic delimitation