A study on the developmental stages of the embryo sac in Amygdalus scoparia L

Amygdalus scoparia L. is an important species of the family Rosaceae with medicinal and antioxidant properties. Amygdalus is morphologically highly diverse such that their identification requires more than morphological characteristics. To reveal the stages of Amygdalus scoparia L embryogenesis, the different developmental stages of the generative organs was subjected to both cytological and histological examination. For both cytological and histological purposes, samples were first fixed, and sections were prepared using a microtome following rinsing, dehydration and saturation with paraffin. Sections were then stained by Hemotoxin-eosin and photographed under a camera equipped light microscope. Samples prepared from different developmental stages of the flowers revealed a complete form of the flowers with peripheral gynoecium Corolla was continuous consisting of 5 sepals, 5 petals and 10-40 stamens, while gynoecium with a superior ovary was of single chamber with a single carpel containing two anatrope eggs. Of which one is usually fertilized. Stages of the embryogenesis and the embryo sac development included: spherical, heart-shaped, torpedo, cotyledonous. It appears that embryogenesis and the embryo sac development in Amygdalus scoparia L. has a similar pattern as that of dicots and other members of the Rosaceae family.