Tricotyledony in critically endangered plant, Ceropegia mahabalei Hemadri et Ansari (Apocynaceae)

The presence of two cotyledons is the characteristic feature of dicotyledons, but sometimes additionally one cotyledon can be produced. The origin of tricotyledonous seedling may be due to genetic variability and is referred to as tricotyledony or tricotyly. Occurrence of tricotyledony was reported in a few tree species, viz. Acacia mellifera (Vahl) Benth. super(1), Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub. super(2) and Emblica officinalis Gaertn. super(3). This phenomenon was also reported in shrubs like Hippophae rhamnoides L. super(4) and Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal super(5). Here we deal with tricotyledony observed during the seed germination experiment for in vitro micropropagation of the critically endangered tuberous plant Ceropegia mahabalei Hemadri et Ansari.