Seed Evolution, A 'Simpler' Story

Abstract

Seed evolution is often presented as the evolution of morphological complexity. Following the steps of Wilhelm Hofmeister, I argue that changes in the development of one tissue, the megasporangium/nucellus, can explain the origin of the seed habit. Here, I lay down a 'simpler' story that correlates seed evolution to nucellus cell fate.

Keywords: Seed evolution; fertilization; heterospory; nucellus; ovule; spore.