Page 11 - Pharmacognosy-II (06-PG 303)

2- The mescocarp is parenchymatous and is traversed longitudinally by 5
fibro-vascular bundles, running from base to apex under the primary
ridges. Between the ridges, long schizogenous ducts "vittae" extend from
base to apex and alternate with the V.B. (commonly 4 on the dorsal side
and 2 on the commisural). Each vitta is tapering towards both ends, being
lined with brown epithelial cells and divided by transverse partitions into
chambers. In T.S. they appear elliptical.

3- The endocarp is formed of groups of narrow parallel cells, each group (5-
7 cells) originating from a single mother cells. Many of these groups are
sometimes arranged in different directions giving a parquetry structure. In
T.S. they appear as long narrow, rectangular cells with groups of very short
cells.

4- The testa is usually attached to the endocarp and consists of brownish,
tangentialy elongated cells and few layers of collapsed cells which are well
defined in the region of the raphe.

5- The endosperm consists of colourless, thick-walled, cellulosic
parenchyma containing much fixed oil globules, numerous aleurone grains
and micro-rosettes of ca. ox.

6- The embryo is formed of small, rounded cells filled with oil globules.
7- The raphe is a fine vascular strand, appearing as a band of thick-walled,

lignified cells in the commissural side embedded in the testa.
8- The carpophore consists chiefly of slender fibres.

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