Fruit morphological features of 13 species belonging to four genera: Caylusea
A. St. Hill., Ochradenus Delile , Oligomeris Cambess., and Reseda L. in Egypt
have been studied by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
The SEM of fruit surfaces revealed a remarkable topographic diversity of these
apparently simple structures. Stomata are striking features of the fruit surfaces.
The cuticle has prominent striations which vary from random, radiate, and
reticulate to parallel or a mixture of these patterns. SEM of fruit surface showed
marked variations between the studied taxa at both generic and specific level.
Thus, the fruit surface as seen by SEM could provide useful additional characters
in delimitation of the resedaceous species .An identificatory key based on the fruit
surface feature is provided.