This study describes the morphological aspects of fruits and seeds, and the development of seedlings and saplings of Maclura tinctoria. The biometry of fruits and seeds was described from 100-unit samples, and germination tests were carried out in a germination chamber and also in the greenhouse. The fruit is oblong and is formed by compressed nutlets, with a sweet, fleshy pericarp; it is indehiscent, and greenish-yellow when mature. The mature seed is laterally flattened, slightly oval, cream-colored and with a smooth surface. Germination rates were high, both in the germination chamber (92%) and the greenhouse (90%). Initial seedling morphology follows the epigeous-phanerocotylar type. Saplings have simple, alternate leaves, which are slightly oval and membranous, pilose, serrulate, with acute apex and rotund base. Venation is pinnate with a semi-craspedodromous pattern. These results allow easy identification of this species in seedling banks and for future studies of forest restoration.
Maclura tinctoria; fruits; seed germination; venation pattern
