Seeds in subtribe Orchidinae (Orchidaceae): the best morphological tool to support molecular analyses

Abstract

Seeds of the genera belonging to the subtribe Orchidinae (Orchidaceae) have been studied using scanning electron microscopy. Qualitative data concerning the general morphology of the seed and testa cells, and ornamentation of periclinal and anticlinal walls, are characters that allow to recognize genera and taxa at infrageneric levels. The results show that seed micromorphology is the best tool to support the molecular analyses published in recent years for this taxonomic group.