The microstructure observation of seed surface structure is needed for protocols of breaking dormancy of seeds with physical dormancy. The seeds of Rubus species are surrounded by a thick, hard endocarp; together, the seed and endocarp make up the stone. We evaluate stone characteristics of 18 species of Rubus through optical microscopic observation, and correlate different stone characteristics with endocarp thickness. As a result of stone size comparison, Rubus species were classified as big stones group including R. parvifolius and R. idaeus, small stones group including R. longisepalus var. longisepalus, R. corchorifolius and R. hirsutus, and middle stones group including rest of the species. The result of this study revealed that stone size and the endocarp thickness in Rubus species was various characteristics in each species. Furthermore stone size and stone weight were also well correlated endocarp thickness and result indicated that heavy stones had harder endocarp than lighter one. Thus from the result of this study it can be presumed that only one stone characteristic approach may be sufficient to estimate other characteristics in Rubus.

Background : As the characterization of medicinal plants is an important aspect of traditional Asian herbal medicine, this study examines the morphological and anatomical characteristics in four fructus form medicinally important plants belonging to the family Apiaceae. Methods and Results : Fruit morphology of four genera was examined using microtome sections and light microscopy. The Anethi Fructus, Anethum graveolens (Siraja) has unique wing-like and membranous lateral ribs that are, approximately 500 ㎛ wide. The Coriandri Fructus, Coriandrum sativum (Hoyuja) does not have oil ducts at the dorsal region of the mericarp and differs in the development of the dorsal ribs. The ribs appear upon drying and therefore, consist of primary and secondary ribs. The Foeniculi Fructus, Foeniculum vulgare (Hoehyang) characteristically develops three dominant dorsal ribs and has a strong aromatic fragrance. Finally, the Cnidii Fructus, Torilis japonica (Sasangja) has many oil ducts at the dorsal and carpophores regions and develops many hooked trichomes one the fructus surface. Conclusions : We conclude from this study that each plant has several prominent and distinguishing morphological and anatomical characteristics. Therefore, fruit morphology is very useful for identifying these medicinal plants. In addition, the correct use and herbal name need to be standardized for plants used traditionally in Asian medicine within Korea, China, and Japan.

Abeliophyllum distichum is a monotypic taxon of Oleaceae and endemic to Korea. A comprehensive study on embryogeny and fruit and seed coat ontogeny in Abeliophyllum was carried out via microtome and light microscopy. The fertilization occurs during mid– to late April and embryo matures by early July. The embryo development follows the general fashion from globular embryo – transition embryo – heart shaped embryo – torpedo embryo – walking-stick embryo to mature embryo. The pericarp clearly differentiates into three histological zones: exocarp, mesocarp, and endocarp. The young seed comprises 10-12 cells thick seed coat and the mature seed coat comprises an exotesta, 6-8 mesotesta and an endotesta. Any crystals, phenolic-like compounds, idioblasts, and the sclereids are not found in pericarp as well as seed coat. An overall development confirms Solanade type of embryogenesis in Abeliophyllum. The endocarp becomes more prominent in mature fruit