Collection of greenhouse plants in the Botanical Garden of Samara University

This article covers the results of tropical and subtropical plants collections creation in the Botanical Garden of Samara University. At the moment, the collection includes 892 taxa, belonging to 105 families and 390 genera

BIOMORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES OF SEEDS SOME SPECIES FROM GREENHOUSE OF BOTANICAL GARDEN OF SAMARA UNIVERSITY

In the article brief information about the distribution range and concise descriptions of Murraya paniculata (L.), Jack Rauvolfia tetraphylla L., Passiflora foetida L., Phyllanthus juglandifolius Willd., Hibiscus ludwigii Eckl. et Zeyh., Psidium guajava L., Rivina humilis L., Mimosa pudica L., Hibiscus pedunculatus L. f., Abroma augusta (L.) L. f., Passiflora biflora Lam. Crabbea velutina S. Moore. were provided. The structure of the surface of seeds 12 species growing in the greenhouse of the Botanical Garden of Samara University was studied. Morphological features of the seeds, which are necessary for determining the species affiliation, were described. The length, width and thickness of seeds were measured. Photos of seeds were also given. 1 000 seed weight was determined for 12 species and the results were compared with data from Seed Information Database Kew

Assessment of the quality of seeds formed

The possibility of seed genetic banks creating is associated with the ability of many plants seeds (the so-called orthodox ones) to maintain germination ability for a long time, being in a dormant state. This opens up wide prospects for the formation of a reserve seeds fund of rare species that are threatened with extinction in natural communities. Botanical gardens in different countries of the world, including the Russian Federation, are working on the creation of such seed banks. To assess the quality of seeds in relation to agricultural crops, as well as natural flora species, radiography is used. It is this kind of non-damaging express assessment of the quality of seeds that turns out to be the most informative technique for seed material obtained in botanical gardens. The article presents the preliminary results of an X-ray study of the seeds quality of some Samara region rare plants - four species ofthe Iris genus - Iris aphylla L., I. halophila Pall., I. pumila L., I. sibirica L