Mimusops zeyheri

Why are the seeds of this species difficult? The seeds may have physiological dormancy, which can be overcome by mimicking the seasonal patterns of the species' native habitat.

Mimusops zeyheri (Image: S. Wood, RBG Kew)

Seed Storage

This species has Orthodox seeds - dry to 15-20% eRH and store at -20ºC, or as cool as possible.

Germination Requirements

Based on the germination requirements for other species in the same genus: germinate on agar, germination paper or sand at 25ºC or under an alternating temperature regime of 30/25ºC (with an 8/16hr photoperiod).

The seeds of this species may be Physiologically Dormant (based on other species in the same genus). If germination is low, overcome dormancy by mimicking the seasonal patterns of the species' native habitat. Use a moist pre-chill or pre-heat treatment (depending on local climatic conditions) or a dry after-ripening treatment, before germinating the seeds on agar, germination paper or sand at their optimum temperature. If this does not work, you can perform delicate surgery to enable the embryo to grow. Excise the tissue near the root tip. You can also try subjecting the seeds to 24hr light.

Seed Morphology

Mimusops zeyheri
(Image: S. Wood, RBG Kew)

The fruit (4.5 cm) is globose to oblate in shape. They have a yellow to orange peel and an aromaticc, astringent pulp. Each fruit contains one seed.

Taxonomy

Family: SAPOTACEAE

Accepted name: Mimusops zeyheri Sond.

Synonyms: Mimusops zeyheri var. laurifolia Engl., Mimusops decorifolia S.Moore, Mimusops monroi S.Moore

Common name: Transvaal red milkwood

References and Links

Chirco, E. and Turner, T. (1986). Species without AOSA Testing Procedures. The Newsletter of the Association of Official Seed Analysts, Vol 60 (2): pp2-66.
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (1994). Genebank Standards. FAO/IPGRI, Rome, Italy.
Janick, J. and Paull, R.E. (eds) (2008). The Encyclopedia of Fruit and Nuts. CAB International, UK.

AFPD (African Flowering Plants Database) - Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques de la Ville de Genève, Switzerland, and South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria, RSA: Mimusops zeyheri.
PROTAbase (Plant Resources of Tropical Africa) - Wageningen, Netherlands: Mimusops zeyheri.
SID (Seed Information Database) - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK: Mimusops zeyheri.
Tropicos - Missouri Botanical Garden, USA: Mimusops zeyheri.