Table 1 Microscopic characteristics of seed coats of seeds of seven Zingiberaceous species as observed in transverse sections
Species | Epidermis of testa (layer) | Hypodermis of testa (layer) | Pigmentation of hypodermis of testa | Oil cell layers | Pigment layers | Obliterated cells layer | Ratio of thickness of lumina to endotesta palisade sclerenchymatous cells |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alpinia galanga | 1 | 1 | No | 1–3 layers, scattered in pigment layer | Several layers of brown cells | None | 1/5–1/4 |
Alpinia katsumadai | 1 | 2–4 | No | 1–3 layers, scattered in pigment layer | Several layers of brown cells | None | Approx. 1/2 |
Alpinia zerumbet | 1 | 3–4 | No | 1–2 layers, scattered in pigment layer | Several layers of brown cells | None | Approx. 1/2 |
Amomum kravanh | 1 | 1 | Yes | 1 | Several layers, cell wall not distinct | None | 1/5–1/4 |
Amomum subulatum | 1 | 1 | Yes | 1 | Several layers, cell wall not distinct | None | 1/20–1/10 |
Amomum tsao-ko | 1 | 1 | Yes | 1 | Several layers, cell wall distinct and shrunken | None | 1/4–1/3 |
Elettaria cardamomum | 1 | 1 | Yes | 1 | None | 1 layer | 1/8–1/10 |