STYEACE^E 



207 



Cotyledons unequal in length, linear, obtuse, sessile and slightly 

 connate at the base, glabrous with a channelled midrib above, and 

 slightly convex on the back ; the longer 8-9*5 mm. long ; the shorter 

 7-8 mm. long ; both 1-1-25 mm. wide. 



The endocarp of the fruit is obovoid, woody, and does not burst 

 during germination. The radicle emerges by a small hole at the 

 narrow end, the hypocotyl elongates, becoming curved and finally 

 straightening, carrying up with it the endocarp containing the seed. 

 As the cotyledons elongate they push out at the small hole in the 

 endocarp, and finally get free and spread out to the light. 



The cotyledons owe their shape to that of the seed which is 



FIG. 509. Symplocos paniculata. A, germinating seedling with vertical 

 section of endocarp and seed, showing mode of exit of embryo, x 2. B, 

 seedling (nat. size). 



reniform or curved, and contains a large quantity of fleshy endo- 

 sperm. If a seed is cut open during germination the cotyledons 

 are found to be linear, obtuse and, together with the apex of the 

 hypocotyl, curved like the head of a shepherd's staff. Their shape 

 then might be accounted for by the shape of the seed, the quantity 

 of endosperm originally surrounding them, and thirdly by the 

 difficulty that broad cotyledons would experience in getting out of 

 the indehiscent endocarp. 



Stem erect, terete, hairy with upwardly incurving colourless 

 hairs ; 1st internode 2-4 mm. long ; 2nd much shorter. 



Leaves simple, alternate, exstipulate, very shortly petiolate, 

 penninerved with ascending, incurved nerves, hairy on both surfaces. 



