Sarcotesta
Encyclopedia
The sarcotesta is the outermost fleshy covering of Cycad
seeds. Below this layer is usually the sclerotesta
, the coating that makes direct contact with the cycad seed. In some species, however, there is an intermediate layer that is thought to be used in water retention and storage.
Cycad
Cycads are seed plants typically characterized by a stout and woody trunk with a crown of large, hard and stiff, evergreen leaves. They usually have pinnate leaves. The individual plants are either all male or all female . Cycads vary in size from having a trunk that is only a few centimeters...
seeds. Below this layer is usually the sclerotesta
Sclerotesta
Sclerotesta is the innermost fleshy coating of cycad seeds, usually located directly below the Sarcotesta....
, the coating that makes direct contact with the cycad seed. In some species, however, there is an intermediate layer that is thought to be used in water retention and storage.