Comparative seed coat anatomy of the genus Wollemia (Araucariaceae)

The seed coat anatomy of Wollemia nobilis W. G. Jones, K. D. Hill et J. M. Allen was carried out. In theresult of analysis of transverse sections of seeds the sufficient parenchymatization of seed coats and their differentiationinto three morphogenetic zones – the exotesta, the mesotesta and the endotesta was revealed. Such characters of thespermoderm as differentiation of the mesotesta into several topographic zones, presence of resin cavities in mesotesta, aswell as the participation of both exotesta and mesotesta in making the wing are treated as the archaic ones. The seeds of W.nobilis are of transitional type between exomesotestal and the exotestal type (according to Corner's typology). In generalthe seed coat structure of W. nobilis fits into the divercity of seed coats structure in the family Araucariaceae and is treatedas a progressive type within the family.