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The pericarpic structure ofWithania somnifera (L.) Dunal

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Proceedings / Indian Academy of Sciences

Abstract

The small berry ofWithania somnifera is enclosed in an inflated calyx. Its pericarp is histologically differentiated into a 5–6 layered compressed collenchymatous epicarp, a multilayered zone of parenchymatous mesocarp and a 3–4 layer thick endocarp. The anomocytic stomata surrounded by 4–6 epidermal cells occur only in the basal region of the fruit. The number of cells of the mesocarp does not increase much, but its cells become enlarged, vacuolated and separated at maturity. The endocarpic lobes adhere to the placental false septa and enclose the individual seeds in separate chambers.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biosciences, Sardar Patel University, 388 120, Vallabh Vidyanagar, India

    Y S Dave, N D Patel & A R S Menon

Authors
  1. Y S Dave
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  2. N D Patel
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  3. A R S Menon
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Dave, Y.S., Patel, N.D. & Menon, A.R.S. The pericarpic structure ofWithania somnifera (L.) Dunal. Proc. Indian Acad. Sci. 94, 677–682 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03053236

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03053236

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