Delving into the fruit kernel

What is it about?

The genus Elaeocarpus is the largest genus in the family Elaeocarpaceae, comprising more than 350 species of trees and shrubs with a mainly Indo-Pacific distribution. Approximately 28 species in the genus, including nine species from Australia, are known to possess fruit kernels with a ruminate-patterned inner seed kernel (endosperm). To provide a basis for understanding fruit development and endosperm rumination in the genus and to understand its taxonomic and evolutionary significance, we studied the fruit anatomy of a common Australian species, Elaeocarpus ruminatus, at different developmental phases (petal-fall to maturity).

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Why is it important?

Understanding the structure of seeds has commercial importance. In particular, it is important to know how seeds develop to be able to improve fruit production, or even to be able to understand evolutionary or taxonomic relationships between plants.