Semi-hypogeal germination in Pachyrhizus ahipa (Wedd.) parodi (Fabaceae: Phaseoleae): seedling and sapling morphology

摘要

The aim of this work was to describe the morphology of seedlings and saplings of Pachyrhizus ahipa, a cultivated species of Phaseoleae (Fabaceae), analysing the seedling type and characterizing the structure of cotyledons, eophylls and metaphylls. It was observed that the seedling was semi-hypogeal, a germination type not yet recorded for the Phaseoleae tribe. It formed two opposite and unifoliated eophylls with an evident pair of stipels. Metaphylls were trifoliolate and had alternate phyllotaxis. Both eophylls and metaphylls were pinnate, camptodromous, and brochidodromous.