endospermfree

Endospermfree refers to a plant embryo that lacks an endosperm. The endosperm is a nutritive tissue found in the seeds of most flowering plants, which provides nourishment to the developing embryo. In typical seed development, the endosperm is formed by the fusion of a sperm nucleus with the two polar nuclei within the embryo sac, and it surrounds or is absorbed by the developing embryo.

However, in endospermfree seeds, this nutritive tissue is either absent or is very rapidly absorbed by the developing embryo during its early stages. This condition is relatively rare and is found in a limited number of plant species. Examples include some orchids, a few species of parasitic plants, and certain aquatic plants. The absence of the endosperm necessitates alternative strategies for embryo nourishment. In some cases, the cotyledons of the embryo may directly develop to perform this nutritive function, or the seed may rely on external sources of nutrients if it is a parasitic species. The study of endospermfree seeds is of interest in developmental biology and plant evolution, as it sheds light on the diverse pathways of seed development and embryogenesis.