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Answer: Perisperm is a type of storage tissue found in the seeds of some flowering plants. It is formed from the remains of the nucellus, which is a part of the ovule. During seed development, the nucellus is usually used up or absorbed, but in some plants, it is not completely destroyed and remains as a food-storing tissue. This leftover part is what we call perisperm. To understand this better, let’s understand each concept.
What is the Nucellus?
The nucellus is the central part of an ovule in a plant. It surrounds and protects the embryo sac and provides nourishment to the developing embryo. When fertilisation happens and the seed starts forming, the nucellus usually gets absorbed to make way for other tissues like endosperm (another storage tissue). But in some seeds, the nucellus partially remains even after the seed is fully developed. This remaining tissue becomes the perisperm.
Where is Perisperm Located?
Perisperm is located surrounding the embryo or outside the endosperm in the seed. It is not part of the embryo or endosperm, but a separate tissue that stores nutrients. You can think of it as an extra layer of food storage in certain seeds. It helps provide additional nutrition to the developing seedling once the seed starts germinating.
Examples of Seeds with Perisperm:
Not all seeds have perisperm. Only a few types of plants keep this tissue in their mature seeds. In these seeds, both perisperm and endosperm may be present, or sometimes only the perisperm stores the food. Common examples include:
- Black pepper (Piper nigrum)
- Beet (Beta vulgaris)
- Coffee (Coffea arabica)
- Cardamom
The Difference Between Perisperm and Endosperm can be understood in the tabular form:
| Feature | Perisperm | Endosperm |
| Origin | From nucellus | From fertilization (triple fusion) |
| Function | Stores food in some seeds | Main food source for embryo |
| Present in | Fewer seeds | Most flowering plants |
So, perisperm is the persistent part of the nucellus that remains in some mature seeds and helps store food. It is located around the embryo and sometimes outside the endosperm. Although not as common as endosperm, perisperm plays an important role in nourishing the seedling in certain plants.
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