Seed anatomy

On 400 pages, the author gives a comprehensive survey not only of seed anatomy, including shape, size, weight and colouring of seeds, but also treats the very variable surface structures, seed and embryo proportions and relations, their nutritive tissues and the manifold reserve materials. She furthermore refers to the function of the seed coat and the advantages of sculpturing, as well as to the secretory structures in the seed, the vascularization and the passage of the nutrients. Seed maturation and desiccation followed by abscission are discussed as well as longevity and dormancy of seeds, the manifold ways of seed dispersal, germination and mobilization of reserve materials. The author thus intimately relates anatomy with physiological processes. Werker's text is not only of interest for plant-anatomists and morphologists, but is equally of great importance for physiologists, ecologists, as well as for teachers and students of biology, forestry and agriculture. 171 figures (photographs and drawings) of best quality accompany the interesting text. Finally, the reader finds an exhaustive bibliography on 47 pages. This excellent work is an encyclopedic reference indispensable for anybody who is interested in seeds.