the tip, the end furthest from the point of attachment
cotyledons
seed-leaf, first leaves of the embryo
elliptical
widest point near the middle, tapering gradually and equally to slightly pointed ends, no parallel sides
embryo
germ; the young plant enclosed in a seed; consists of the radicle, one or more cotyledons and the plumule
funicle
the stalk of the ovule and later the seed where it is attached to the placenta
granular
surface finely roughened by minute rounded protuberances
hilum
the scar left on the seed when it separates from the funicle (point of attachment)
interspaces
the spaces between reticulations
linear
narrow, elongated, with nearly parallel sides
micropyle
a minute opening in the seed coat, situated at one end of the hilum
oblique
slanted or tilted, unequal sides
oblong
somewhat elongated, about two to four times longer than broad, the sides almost parallel, rounded at both ends
obovate
inverted egg shape, broadest slightly above the middle, hilum at the narrow end
oval
broadly elliptical, rounded at both ends, curved sides, about twice as long as broad, widest in the middle
ovate
egg-shaped in outline, broadest below the middle, scarcely twice as long as broad; if longer or wider, describe as narrowly or broadly ovate; hilum at the broad end
radicle
the embryonic root, base of the future root
reticulate
network of fine ridges, resembling a net, lattice-like
ridge
an elongated raised area
seed coat
outer protective surface of the seed
seed face
for seeds that are flattened from hilum to apex (have two broad sides), each flattened (broad) side is called a seed face
seed scar
see hilum
seed size
length is the measurement from hilum to apex; width is the measurement mid-distance from the hilum to apex and is generally at the widest part of the seed
seed stalk
see funicle
spherical
rounded shape where all points are equidistant from the center
