Scanning Electron Microscopic Studies on Seed Coat Patterns of Five Endangered Himalayan Species of Meconopsis (Papaveraceae)

Scanning electron microscopic studies of seed coat patterns were carried out on 16 populations of the endangered genus Meconopsis, the Himalayan poppy. Two different types of testa can be distinguished in the five species of Meconopsis (M. horridula, M. paniculata, M. simplicifolia, M. sinuata, M. villosa ) investigated: ( a) rugose, and ( b) reticulate. The results indicate the absence of intra- and inter-population variation in all five species of Meconopsis. However, seed coat patterns show a marked inter-specific difference suggesting that they are species-specific.