MICROSCOPIC STRUCTURE OF WEED SEEDS 571 



PLANTAGINACEAE, PLANTAIN FAMILY. 



Common Plantain (Plantago major L.). 



The small, yellowish brown seeds consist of an epidermal layer 

 of thick black-brownish seeds. The walls on the addition of water 

 become mucilaginous and expand. The cell cavity is small. The 

 epidermal layer is followed by several layers and small parenchyma 

 cells. These cells are usually somewhat compressed and brownish 

 in color. The pigment layer and endosperm consist of an outer 

 layer of aleurone cells smaller than the underlying cells. These 

 cells contain protein grains and starch; the walls have small pore 

 canals. 



Fig. 436. Microscopic structure of the seeds of Plantain family. 

 I Bracted Plantain (Plantago aristata). II. Common Plantain (Plantago 



major). III. Buckhorn {Plantago lanceolata). 

 1— epidermal cells showing stratification. c=cell cavity. ep=epidermis. pi=un- 

 derlying parenchyma cells. 2=underlying parenchyma cells of the testa. 

 em=embryo. n=nucellus. p=parenchyma cells. en=endosperm. 

 (Drawings by L. H. Pammel and C. M. King.) 



