seed coats
Embryo's outer armor
Seed coats are the protective outer layers of seeds, shielding the embryo and stored nutrients from damage, drying out, and premature germination.
The coat may be thin and papery or thick and hard depending on the plant species.
Some seed coats must be scarified—scratched or weakened—before water can penetrate and germination can begin.
Outer seed integument
- integumentNatural outer covering
- hilumSeed's umbilical mark
- rapheSeamlike junction in tissue
- chalazaEgg's internal anchor cord
endosperm · embryo · cotyledon · radicle · plumule · pericarp · scarification · germination
Obstruction preventing passage
- armorProtective combat covering
- shieldHandheld defensive armor
- huskDry seed covering
- shellHard outer covering
casing · encasement · envelope · covering · defense · protection · waterproofing · impermeability
testa
Outer seed integument
- integumentNatural outer covering
- hilumSeed's umbilical mark
- rapheSeamlike junction in tissue
chalaza · endosperm · embryo · cotyledon · radicle · plumule · pericarp · scarification · germination · dormancy
barrier
Obstruction preventing passage
shell · casing · encasement · envelope · covering · defense · protection · waterproofing · impermeability · hardness