sarcotesta

plant anatomy

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July 13, 2026

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The sarcotesta is the outer, typically soft, fleshy part of the testa, which is the protective outer layer of a seed. In some seeds, like those of cycads, the sarcotesta is a prominent feature.1

In angiosperms, seeds develop from ovules and are enclosed by one or two integuments that form the seed coat, or testa. This seed coat can be hard and stony, or it may feature a fleshy sarcotesta on the outside with a stony layer (sclerotesta) inside. Other seed coverings can include wings or ornamentation, and some seeds have an additional layer called an aril, which is an outgrowth of the funiculus.2

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gymnosperm
General features
…coat is known as the sarcotesta and consists of two layers. The sarcotesta is often brightly coloured in cycads, and the sarcotesta of Ginkgo seeds is foul-smelling when ripe. The seeds of some conifers have a thin winglike structure that may assist in the distribution of the seeds. The seeds…
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…coat is known as the sarcotesta and consists of two layers. The sarcotesta is often brightly coloured in cycads, and the sarcotesta of Ginkgo seeds is foul-smelling when ripe. The seeds of some conifers have a thin winglike structure that may assist in the distribution of the seeds. The seeds…
Read More