Mechanics of Polyropylene-Seed-Coat-Fibres Composites AndPolyropylene –Wood Fibres Composites-A Comparative Study

Forestry by-products have potential applications as components of wood composites. Replacement of conventional pine radiata wood-fibres by the fibres from the seeds (SCF) of the by-products, require determining and optimizing the mechanical properties to producing highest quality products. Response to mechanical stress is an important aspect to consider towards partial or full replacement of the wood-fibres by SCFs. In the present study the critical strain energy release rate, and the fracture toughness are derived from the published data. The present work uses rules of mixture to derive the mechanical and the physical properties of the SCF and relates the performance of the composites of the wood-fibres and the SCF to chemical composition, dispersion, weight and Vf of the fibres. We have also derived the Gc, the critical strain energy release rate, KIC, the fracture toughness of the composites.

The role of the seed coat in phytochrome-controlled seed germination in Lactuca sativa L. cv. Grand Rapids

The effect of scarification with sodium hypochloride on light sensitivity in seeds of Lactuca sativa L. cv. Grand Rapids is presented in the paper. Light-requiring lettuce seeds germinated in both dark and continuous light after scarification and 36 degrees C pre-incubation restored light sensitivity at 25 degrees C. Curves of dose-response indicated that chemical scarification induced a change in the control of seed germination from Low Fluence Response to the Very Low Fluence Response. Pre-incubation at 36 degrees C return the control to the Low Fluence Response of phytochrome action.

The role of the seed coat in the light sensivity in Raphanus sativus L. cv. redondo gigante seeds

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Anatomy of the pericarp and seed-coat of Lithraea molleoides (Vell.) Engl. (Anacardiaceae) with taxonomic notes

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Thermal-biological aspects on the seed germination of Cucumis anguria L.: influence of the seed coat

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Electrical conductivity of soybean seed and correlation with seed coat lignin content

The effects of soybean genotype and seed coat lignin content on bulk electrical conductivity were investigated. Seeds of nine soybean cultivars were hand harvested at R8 maturation stage in Londrina, PR., Brazil in 1995/96. Seeds were electrical conductivity tested using four replicates of 50 seeds per cultivar soaked in 75 mi of deionized water at 25 degrees C for 24 hours. Seed coat lignin content was determined using the potassium permanganate method. There was a significant relationship (R-2 = 0.84**) between electrical conductivity and seed coat lignin content, the latter being a characteristic that varies among soybean genotypes; the higher the amount of lignin in the seed coat, the lower the levels of seed exudates to the soaking solution and consequently the lower the electrical conductivity. It was concluded that seed soaking electrical conductivity is influenced by the seed coat lignin content, which is a characteristic that varies among soybean genotypes. Additionally, the EC test can be used as a valuable tool in the screening process for this characteristic, which is desirable for genetically improving soybean seed quality.

Structural changes in soybean seed coat due to harvest time and storage

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Influence of mother plant and seed coat colour on germination success of Retama sphaerocarpa L (Boissier)

Mestrado em Engenharia Florestal e dos Recursos Naturais - Instituto Superior de Agronomia - UL

岷江干旱河谷三种蔷薇植物繁殖更新研究

繁殖更新是植物生活史的重要阶段，在退化生态系统中，植物繁殖更新能力往往较差，是植被恢复的限制环节，因而也成为恢复研究重点和核心。本研究选择岷江干旱河谷广泛分布的三种蔷薇：多苞蔷薇（R. multibracteata）、黄蔷薇（R. hugonis）和川滇蔷薇（R. soulieana）为研究对象，通过野外调查，在查明其生长、繁殖更新状况的基础上，采用控制和模拟实验，对种子和幼苗阶段进行了深入研究，综合分析更新潜力，并提出相对应的促进更新和植被恢复措施。主要结论如下： 1）三种蔷薇在岷江干旱河谷广泛分布，生长和繁殖状况良好，结实量大。各生长指标：株高、基径和冠幅，繁殖指标：结实数量、重量和单果重量都具有显著的空间差异性。基径对多苞蔷薇结实量影响最大；而冠幅对黄蔷薇结实量影响最大。海拔和纬度是对蔷薇生长和繁殖影响最大的环境因素，随着海拔和纬度的升高，植株生长更高大，结实量增加；坡度和坡向对其生长和繁殖也有一定影响，随着坡度 和坡向增加，蔷薇生长和结实受到抑制。 2）三种蔷薇在岷江干旱河谷更新现状不佳, 但更新潜力大。活力种子比率低，动物取食以及两年生幼苗的大量死亡是蔷薇更新的主要限制因素。多苞蔷薇和黄蔷薇的结实率低，川滇蔷薇较高。三种蔷薇种子产量大，但种子质量较差，更新具有充足的种源。三种蔷薇都能形成持久种子库，种子库中种子总量大，但有效种子少，黄蔷薇被动物啃食的比例很高，多苞蔷薇和川滇蔷薇也有一部分种子受到动物破坏。三种蔷薇幼苗库组成特征表现为，当年生幼苗所占比例很高，年龄较大幼苗所占比例小。 3）三种蔷薇都具有不同程度休眠，未经处理种子的发芽率极低。黄蔷薇休眠程度最深，为深度生理休眠；多苞蔷薇为中度生理休眠；川滇蔷薇为非深度生理休眠。三种蔷薇种子在形态上发育成熟，种皮具有透水性。蔷薇果果肉和瘦果中含有抑制物质，其浸泡液抑制了油菜种子萌发，果肉抑制作用更强，果肉和瘦果浸泡液的抑制程度分别为：川滇蔷薇>黄蔷薇>多苞蔷薇。切割和硫酸腐蚀提高了川滇蔷薇种子的发芽能力，而对多苞蔷薇和黄蔷薇没有影响。完全去除瘦果果皮和种皮提高了多苞蔷薇种子发芽率，但对黄蔷薇没有影响。赤霉素和烟水对蔷薇种子萌发没有促进作用。三种蔷薇打破休眠所需低温层积时间分别为：黄蔷薇>多苞蔷薇>川滇蔷薇。对于多苞蔷薇和川滇蔷薇，层积前对种子进行硫酸腐蚀或暖温层积能缩短低温层积时间，提高发芽率。对于多苞蔷薇，变温层积中暖温层积和低温层积具有一定的负补性，即延长暖温层积可以缩短种子萌发对低温层积的需要。 4）多苞蔷薇种子形态特征和种子休眠与萌发在不同海拔梯度间存在较大差异。种子采集时间、采集季节和干藏影响多苞蔷薇和川滇蔷薇的种子休眠。多苞蔷薇果实大小、种子大小和千粒重、种皮厚度随海拔升高而增加，而种子饱满率和活力随海拔升高而降低，种子休眠程度也随海拔升高而增加。种皮厚度与种子大小、千粒重成正相关关系，硫酸腐蚀后的种子经过不同时间的低温层积后，种子发芽率与种皮厚度、种子大小、千粒重、海拔成正相关关系。2006 年采集川滇蔷薇和多苞蔷薇种子休眠程度较2005 年低。种子休眠随种子年龄增加而减弱。高温和干旱能减轻多苞蔷薇和川滇蔷薇种子休眠。 5）三种蔷薇的生长和生物量积累在干旱胁迫条件下受到抑制，而生物量分配、叶片形态特征和水分利用特征等都发生了变化。三种蔷薇的根、茎、叶各器官生物量以及总生物量等在干旱胁迫下明显减小，叶片脱落数量增加。在干旱胁迫条件下，较多的生物量分配到地下部分，从而这使R/S 明显增加。比叶面积（SLA）和冠层面积比（LAR）对干旱胁迫的反应不敏感，仅有部分物种在干旱胁迫条件下发生了变化，并且其变化特点在不同年龄幼苗之间有一定差异。干旱胁迫对WUE 的影响在不同物种间存在差异。多苞蔷薇和黄蔷薇的WUE 随着干旱胁迫的增加而增大， 而川滇蔷薇的WUE 则随干旱胁迫增加而减小。在干旱胁迫条件下，多苞蔷薇和黄蔷薇叶片脱落量和生物量减小幅度较川滇蔷薇大，表明其抗旱能力较强。在干旱胁迫条件，三种蔷薇两年生幼苗的生物量减小幅度较当年生幼苗小，表明两年生幼苗的抗旱能力更强。 6）两种植被恢复措施中，幼苗移栽比播种具有更好的植被恢复效果。播种后，蔷薇种子的发芽率较高，但出苗率都很低，即使出苗，幼苗也几乎在一月内全部死亡。 三种微生境条件下（灌木、半灌木和裸地），种子出苗和幼苗成活没有差异。移栽幼苗总体死亡率都比较低，小于20％。特别是两年生幼苗死亡率更低，小于2％。移栽后的幼苗生长状况良好，在整个生长季中，各生长指标不断增加。生境对幼苗的存活率没有显著影响，但对于幼苗的生长和生物量积累有一定影响，裸地更有利于幼苗生长和生物量积累。与当年生幼苗相比，两年生幼苗具有更高的成活率。总之，三种蔷薇在干旱河谷分布广泛、生长繁殖状况良好，结实量大，具有丰富种源，繁殖更新潜力大，但繁殖更新状况不佳；种子散布后动物对种子的取食、种子的深度休眠过程、种子出苗以及当年生幼苗的存活和定居是更新的主要限制环节。水分是影响结实、种子休眠解除和萌发，幼苗存活和定居的最主要的限制因素。在植被恢复中，应在种子成熟季节大量采集种子，在室内打破休眠后进行人工播种，培育两年生幼苗，通过幼苗移栽方式进行植被恢复。川滇蔷薇应栽种在相对湿润的过渡区，而多苞蔷薇和黄蔷薇可以应用于核心区植被恢复。 Regeneration is an important phase in plant life cycle. It has been a key component of ecological restoration in degradation ecosystem in which plants commonly has poor regeneration. In this paper, we investigated the natural growth, propagation and regeneration status of native three rose species, Rosa multibracteata, R. hugonis and R. soulieana, and analysis the limitation in seed germination and seedling establishment stages. Advice on facilitating the use of these plants in restoration based on the results has been proposed. The results were as follows: 1) Three rose plants widely distributed in the dry valley of the Minjiang River, and made a good performance in growth and propagation. There were significant spatial differences in each growth parameter, such as ramet height, basal diameter, crown diameter and propagation parameters including hip number of a clump, hip mass of a clump and a hip mass. Basa diameter was the most important growth parameter influencing fruit number for R. multibracteata and crown diameter was for R. hugoni. Altitude and latitude had the greatest effect on the growth and propagation of rose plants among environmental conditions. Each parameter of growth and propagation increased with the increase of altitude and latitude. In addition, the increase of slope and aspect limited the growth and propagation. 2) Three rose plants had poor natural regeneration, but great regeneration potential. Low seed viability, predation and higher mortality of current year old seedlings were the limitation in regeneration. R. multibracteata and R. hugonis had higher fruiting rates than R. souliean. All three plants produced a great number of seeds, while their viability was poor. Three rose plants had persistent seed banks, with high total seed number but very low viable seed density. Predation was most severe in R. hugonis, and it also existed to some degree in R. multibracteata and R. soulieana. The seedling age-structure was characteristic of current-year seedlings predominating and few older seedlings were observed. 3) Three rose seeds were dormant and untreated seeds germinated with very low germination percentages. The rose seeds had morphological mature embryos, and achenes were permeable. Some inhabit substances existed in hips and achenes for the extracts of hips and achenes inhibited germination of Brassica campestris. The inhibition effect of the extracts of three rose hip and achenes was R. soulieana>R. hugonis>R. multibracteata. Mechanical and H2SO4 scarification increased R. soulieana germination but had no effect on germination of R. hugonis and R. multibracteata seeds. Full removal of pericarp and testa improved the germination of R. multibracteata but did not affect R. hugonis germination. GA3 and smoke water had no positive effect on rose seed germination. The periods of cold stratification required to released seed dormancy was R. hugonis > R. soulieana >R. multibracteata. H2SO4 scarification and warm stratification shortened cold stratification to release dormancy for R. soulieana and R. multibracteata. Warm stratification had complementary effect for cold stratification, i.e. the longer warm stratification seeds received, the shorter cold stratification were required to obtain the same germination percentage. Three rose seeds had different kinds of dormancy; R. hugonis has deep physiological dormancy, R. multibracteata with intermediate physiological dormancy and R. souliean non-deep physiological dormancy. 4）The seeds traits and dormancy of R. multibracteata showed significant difference across altitudes. Year and season of seed collection had significant effect on seed dormancy for both R. souliean and R. multibracteata. Hip size, seed size, seed weight, seed coat thickness and seed dormancy level increased with the increase of the altitude. There were positive relations between seed coat thickness with seed size and seed weight. Germination percentage of seeds treated with H2SO4 scarification following different periods of cold stratification showed positive relation with seed coat thickness, seed size, seed weight and altitude. Seeds of R. souliean and R. multibracteata collected in 2006 had low dormancy level than those collected in 2005. Seed dormancy decreased with increasing seeds age. High temperature and drought were associated with low dormancy level. 5) Seedling growth, the total dry mass and their components of seedlings were reduced, while leaf senescence accelerated under drought stress. More biomass allocation to root system resulted in higher R/S ratio under drought. Water-use efficiency (WUE) of R. multibracteata and R. hugonis increased, while it declined for R. soulieana under drought stress. R. soulieana seedlings had poor drought-resistance capacity it had more senescent leaves, and its reduction of biomass was stronger than two other rose plants under drought. The reduction degree of one year old seedlings under drought stress was slighter than that of current year seedlings. Therefore, one year old seedling was more drought-resistent compared to current year seedlings. 6）Planting seedlings may have better effect in comparison with direct seeding. Most seeds germinated after seeding, but seedling emergence was very low. More than 80 % seedlings from direct seeding died within a months after emergence. Seedling emergence and survival rate did not show difference among microhabitats. Mortality rates of seedlings artificially planted in microhabitats were general lower than 20 %, and the mortality rate of one year old seedlings was lower than 2 %. Each grow parameter including plant height, leaf number and branch number continually increased after planting. Microhabitat type had effect on the growth parameter and biomass production, but it did not influence the seedling survival. Bare land tended to facilitate seedling growth. One year old seedlings had higher survival rate than current year seedlings. In conculsion, the three rose had wide distribution in the dry valley of the Minjiang River. They produced many seeds and had tolerance to drought stress to some degree. But they had poor regeneration in habitats may be caused by predation, seed dormancy，and high mortality in current year seedlings. We recommend that rose plants should be utilized in restoration by planting two-year old seedlings in spring. A large quantity of seeds should be collected artificially in autumn, release seed dormancy in room, and then cultivate two-year old seedlings by seeding in particular container. R. soulieana seedling probably be planted in transition area, and R. multibracteata and R. hugonis can be used in core area of the dry valley of the Minjiang River.

Velocidade de hidratação em função de características do tegumento de sementes de soja de diferentes cultivares e localidades

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Imbibition of Swietenia macrophylla (Meliaceae) seeds: the role of stomata

Background and Aims the occurrence of stomata in seed coats is uncommon and there is limited information about their function(s). The aim of this study was to verify the distribution of stomata in seed coats of Swietenia macrophylla and to relate it to the imbibition process and aspects of the structure of the outer integument layers.Methods For the structural and ultrastructural studies, the seeds were processed using the usual techniques and studied under light and scanning electron microscopes. Histochemical tests were employed to identify the cell wall composition in the different seed coat portions. To assess the role of the stomata in the imbibition, non-impervious seeds were compared with partially impervious ones, in which only the embryo, median or hilar regions were left free. Further, the apoplastic pathway marker was employed to confirm the role of the stomata as sites of water passage during imbibition.Key Results A positive relationship was observed between seed coat thickness and stomata density. The stomata were devoid of movement, with a large pore. They occurred in large numbers in the embryo region and extended with lower frequency towards the wing. Imbibition rates were related to stomata density, suggesting that the stomata act as preferential sites for water entry in the S. macrophylla seeds.Conclusions At maturity, the stomata in the seed coat play a significant role in seed imbibition. The data may also infer that these permanently opened stomata have an important role in gas exchange during seed development, aiding embryo respiration.

Fungus incidence on peanut grains as affected by drying method and Ca nutrition

An experiment was conducted to study the effects of liming and drying method on Ca nutrition, fungus infection and aflatoxin production potential on peanut (Arachis hypogea) grains. Peanut cv. Botutatu was grown in the absence or presence of liming to raise the base saturation of the soil from 20 to 56%. Calcium contents of the soil were increased from 5.5 to 14.6 mmol((c))kg-1 and pH from 4.2 to 4.9. After harvest, plants and pods were dried in (1) shade, (2) field down to 100 g water kg-1 (3) field down to 250 g water kg-1 and transferred to a forced-air oven at 30°C, (4) field down to 360 g water kg-1 and transferred to a forced-air oven at 30°C. Calcium contents were analyzed in the grains, pericarps and seed coats. The incidence of Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp., Rhizopus spp. and potential aflatoxin production in vitro were evaluated, as well as the seed coat thickness. The seed coat was thicker when peanut was grown in the presence of lime, leading to a decrease in seed infection by Aspergillus spp. and Penicillium spp. When plants were dried in shade, the growth of aflatoxinogenic fungi was independent of liming. However, in plants dried in the field or field + oven, the development of these fungi was decreased and even suppressed when the Ca content of the seed coat was increased from 2.2 to 5.5 g kg-1.

Dano por embebição em sementes de soja em função do teor de água inicial, cultivar e local de produção

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

中国蔷薇属芹叶组（Rosa Sect. Pimpinellifoliae DC. ex Ser.）的分类学研究

本研究通过我国CDBI、 KUN、PE、SZ等主要标本馆约3, 500份馆藏标本的研究和野外考察相结合，对我国蔷薇属（Rosa L.）芹叶组(Sect. pimpinellifoliae DC. ex Ser.）植物以及相关组的一些种进行了性状特征、形态和微形态的研究，对该组的一些种的形态特征描述进行了补充，同时给出详细的地理和海拔范围分布图。综合花粉以及种子（瘦果）形态的研究结果重新制订了分种检索表，同时，对该组一些形态相近容易混淆的种进行了对比研究，特别对一直存在争议的绢毛复合体（绢毛蔷薇R. sericea Lindl.和峨眉蔷薇R. omeiensis Rolfe）进行了大量宏观形态特征的研究，并用光学显微镜（LM）和扫描电镜(SEM)对二者的花粉及种子形态、微形态进行对比研究和分析，主要研究内容包括： 1. 芹叶组孢粉研究 对芹叶组的10个种及相关的4个组共17个种（18个样品）的植物花粉进行了光镜和扫描电镜观察和比较研究。研究结果表明：蔷薇属植物花粉粒大小为中等偏小，极轴长23.98[21.82(R. graciliflora Rehd. et Wils.)～29.18(R. tsinglingensis Pax. et Hoffm.)] μm，赤道轴长28.65[24.15（R. graciliflora）～34.70(R. davidii Crép.)] μm；花粉属辐射对称等极单花粉，花粉形态赤道面观呈球形到超长球形；极面观为三裂圆形或近圆形,三孔沟，孔缘加厚,具中部突起的桥状盖。花粉外壁纹饰为条纹状，光镜下形态特征相差不大；在电镜下外壁条纹和脊沟内穿孔的形状、大小和频度等特征，常具组至种水平上的可见变异，可作为组至种水平划分的依据。 根据花粉外壁条纹特征及穿孔形状和数目等特征，本研究将这些植物的花粉归为5个类型，并编制了分组检索表。同时，根据条纹状的清晰度，排列方式、条纹形状、穿孔大小及其频度等方面的差异，各有特点，对该组的10个种编制了分种检索表。 2. 芹叶组种子形态研究 应用光学显微镜和扫描电镜对我国蔷薇属芹叶组14个种及相关组5个组共36种植物的种子宏观形态及种皮微形态特征进行了观察研究。结果显示，蔷薇属种子形态多样,形状分别为肾形、卵形或锥形等；种子颜色以淡棕色、褐色以及土黄色为主；种子大小种间相差悬殊，相对体积为（长×宽×厚）36.66（4.79～114.47) mm3。光镜下，种子宏观形态特征具组内一致性，在扫描电镜下种子表面结构特征因种而异，其纹饰以网纹为主，可分为3种类型，即近平滑型、负网纹型和网纹型。研究结果表明，蔷薇属种子表面纹饰与地理分布关系不大,具有组及种内稳定性。其种子形态、大小、表而纹饰类型等特征可作为蔷薇属组及种水平上的分类依据。 结合蔷薇属花粉形态研究结果，得出蔷薇属种皮微形态特征与花粉外壁纹饰特征相吻合，在代表组及种的特征上具相关性的结论。同时根据种子形态、微形态结构特征的组间区别和种间差异编制了分组及芹叶组14个种的分种检索表。 3. 绢毛蔷薇复合体的研究 通过对大量标本的研究、野外观察以及扫描电镜对绢毛蔷薇复合体的花粉形态和种皮表面结构进行研究，通过对小叶、花粉及种子的形态定量分析结果支持Rowley (1959)的观点，将峨眉蔷薇处理为绢毛蔷薇的一个变种。 综上研究结果得出，蔷薇属植物的小叶片数目、花被基数以及花粉及种子形态等性状是较为稳定的，这些特征可很好的作为分类学依据。 The morphology, pollen exine sculpture and seed coat structure of the species of Rosa sect. Pimpinellifoliae and related sections were studied.About 3,500 herbarium specimens at CDBI, KUN, PE, and SZ were examined. Field work in Sichuan and Yunnan were conducted. Revisions of some species were carried out and a new key to species of sect. Pimpinellifoliae was proposed based on morphology, pollen exine sculpture and seed coat structure, Detailed morphological descriptions, geographical distributions and the altitudinal ranges of some taxa are given. The systematics of the species complex, the Rosa sericea complex (R. sericea Lindl. & R. omeiensis Rolfe), was emphasized. This thesis focused on the following three aspects: 1. Pollen morphology of Rosa sect. Pimpinellifoliae The pollen morphology of 18 samples representing 10 species of the Eurasian Rosa sect. Pimpinellifoliae and 7 additional species of related sections was investigated under LM and SEM. The pollen grains are monadic, actinomorphic, equipolar, medium-sized, spheroidal to perprolate in equatorial view, 3-lobed circular or semi-circular in polar view, crassimarginate, pontoperculate, and with striate exine sculpture. The striate sculpture varies among sections and species. The equatorial axis ranges from 17.97 μm (R. sikangensis) to 29.18 μm (R. tsinglingensis) with an average of 23.98 μm in length, while polar axis varies from 24.15 μm (R. gracilifolra) to 34.70 μm (R. davidii) with an average of 28.65 μm in length. The pollens can be divided into five types based on striate sculpture and a key to the sections sampled was proposed accordingly. The pollen morphology of species of sect. Pimpinellifoliae is more homogeneous and different from other sections sampled and did not support the two-series subdivisions in sect. Pimpinellifoliae. A key is also provided based on characers of pollen morphology among species in sect. Pimpinellifoliae. 2. Seed coat structure of Rosa sect. Pimpinellifoliae The seed coat structure of 39 samples representing 14 species of Rosa sect. Pimpinellifoliae and 12 additional species of related sections was investigated under LE and SEM. The seed relative volume (Length × width × thickness) ranges from 4.79 to 114.47 mm3 with an average of 36.66. mm3. The seeds are reniform, ovate or oblong in shape, with orange-brown, light brown or deep brown color. Seed coat sculpture was reticulate or striate-like reticulate. There was no difference in sculpture character of various speices under LM, while three types of seed coat sculpture were identified under SEM and a key to species based on the seed coat sculpture was provided. The three types of seed coat sculpture were nearly smooth, areolate and reticulate. The study of the seed coat sculpture of same species sampled from different populations showed that characters on the seed coat are stable, and thus the size, shape and seed coat sculpture can be used in species level identification. Interestingly, characters in the seed coat sculpture and the pollen morphology in sect. Pimpinellifoliae are consistent at in specific or sectional levels. A key to the 14 species sampled was given based on seed coat sculpture. 3. The study on Rosa sericea complex The Rosa sericea complex contains R. omeiensis and R. sericea. They are morphologically similar to one another and the systematic status of R. omeiensis has been controversial. In this study we examined large numbers of herbarium specimens of R. omeiensis and R. sericea and conducted field observations in the Hengduan Mts.. We also performed SEM study of pollen morphology and seed coat structure of R. omeiensis and R. sericea. We further carried out intensive morphometric study on the leaflet, pollen, and seed morphology. Our results showed that R. omeiensis should be sunk to be a variety of R. sericea, just as Rowley’s treatment in 1959. In conclusion, the features in the number of leaflet and petal, and the morphological character on pollen and seed are relatively stable. Therefore these characters are very useful in taxon delimition.