Seed sculpturing of selected Europaean Vicia L. species (Fabaceae) and their taxonomical evaluation

Seed sculpturing of 26 Vicia taxa, belonging to the sections Ervum, Cracca, Faba and Vicia, has been analysed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The anticlinal seed testa transections of the Vicia saliva, V. lathyroides and V. hirsuta have also been studied. The seed sculpturing of most Vicia species analysed showed a typical papillose pattern. In some species the seed ornamentation pattern is species specific, whereas many analysed species exhibited a similar pattern. The value of seed microsculpturing, as an additional taxonomic marker in the infrageneric classification of the Vicia genus, is discussed.