Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

Seedy Subjects! => Seed Exchange => Topic started by: Diane Whitehead on November 22, 2007, 11:57:17 PM

Title: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Diane Whitehead on November 22, 2007, 11:57:17 PM
At last!  A book that describes seeds as well as showing pretty flower
pictures.

It is The Caucasus and its Flowers by Vojtech Holubec.

Here are descriptions of two Dianthus:

D. oschtenicus    Seed capsules cylindric   Seeds flat, disc-shaped with
a comb-like fringe on margin

D. raddeanus  Seed capsules cylindric   Seeds flat, black

This is very useful for those of us who sometimes collect seeds of plants
we have not seen in flower.

I wish more authors paid attention to seedpods and seeds.  Botanic
artists depict all parts of plants, but colour photography has caused
a diminution of pictorial information.  However, a short clear description
by an observant author can make up for a lack of drawings.
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Lesley Cox on November 23, 2007, 12:49:15 AM
At one stage, perhaps a year ago, there were some postings from, I think, Thomas in Germany, with excellent pictures of various crocus seeds. I seem to remember saying at the time, what a valuable resource a topic would be, of seed pictures. My own seed collecting season is on already, with frits and narcissus, pulsatillas et al ripening daily. I'll try to take pictures of anything worthwhile and start this particular ball rolling.
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Diane Whitehead on November 23, 2007, 01:11:24 AM
I occasionally take photos of seeds to post to this forum.

There is a problem taking such extreme closeups, as the camera
blocks light from the seeds.  I read about someone who set up
a stage for photographing small things by cutting a hole for the
lens of the camera in the bottom of a clear plastic bowl which was
then put over the small item to be photographed.  I haven't
managed to find a clear bowl yet.
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Maggi Young on November 23, 2007, 11:35:34 AM
I believe this site was mentioned before in the Forum and it certainly bears repeating :
theseedsite.co.uk  : this is a place with lots of seed photos and is a very useful resource.... for all levels of interest from children onwards. (I have merely stated the name of the website and not made a hotlink because the site owner does not want such links made because of costs incurred to him.)

There's also this site  http://www.hazmac.biz/seedhome.html (http://www.hazmac.biz/seedhome.html)
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: fleurbleue on August 18, 2009, 11:53:20 PM
Thank you all, what good ideas  ;) !
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Maggi Young on August 19, 2009, 12:18:32 PM
At this time of year many of you have been busy seed collecting. May I ask you a favour?
As you collect and clean the seed, would you please take photos of the various seed types you have, spread on 1mm graph paper to show the scale, and send the named photos to me in the first instance.
The idea will be to post them, eventually, in a special seed ID section of the forum and produce a "library" of  photos of seed likely to be found in the seed exchanges of the SRGC, NARGS and  AGS .

We are trying to compile a file of photos of correctly named seed to help identify true seed for packers of the seed exchanges and to let folks see if the seed they "think" they have bears any resemblence to the true type seed at all!
It would be very helpful if forumists with seed they know to be true, would be so kind as to take part in this project.  It will be an enormous task, taking many years to amass a full list of seeds likely to be of interest to rock gardeners, but with many helpers we hope progress can be made.
I do hope you will all consider taking part in this project.
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Lori S. on September 07, 2009, 12:40:30 AM
Where would one send or post these photos? 
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Lesley Cox on September 07, 2009, 01:45:26 AM
As you see Lori, Maggi is getting a photo file together of seeds of all kinds so probably best to send them to her. I really envy Maggi in that she does so much it is quite obvious she has managed to introduce the 36 hour day. I wish she'd share how she did this.
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Lori S. on September 07, 2009, 01:56:07 AM
Okay, got it.  I wasn't clear on this, due to the mention also of a "special seed ID section of the forum", which obviously will arise sometime in the future.  Thanks.
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Maggi Young on September 07, 2009, 11:24:33 AM
Hi, Lori,
Yes, as Lesley says, please send me the pix meantime. We are trying to work out the best way to arrange the forum or website section. Idea would be to have a main area here where all would be available online then also have some method (cd ) to be able to share with other societies. I have edited my inital post to make it clearer. :)
All in planning stage at present but I will collate the photos here:  info AT srgc.org.uk




Lesley, sadly I have not mastered the 36 hour day.... I have however, given up my promising career in classical music, my popular belly dancing performances, and my bid for membership of the 2012 Olympic high jump team .... but no matter, some things are worth a little personal sacrifice.
[attach=1]

Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Lesley Cox on September 07, 2009, 09:18:16 PM
A sad loss to the world at large Maggi, but we on the Forum are grateful that you have your priorities right. ;D

A lot of the rubbish that I'm posting lately is in order that Paul T in Canberra won't catch up with me, as he was rapidly doing for a while. 10 or 12 days away spells disaster in the numbers stakes. ;D
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Maggi Young on September 08, 2009, 12:27:15 AM
I started, I think, a thread on what seeds look like but cant find it
Mark, it was this one on Dactylorhiza seed...
http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=2418.msg54658;topicseen#msg54658  :D
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Lesley Cox on September 08, 2009, 05:44:16 AM
You musn't breathe in deeply, or sneeze, when harvesting them. ;D
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Lesley Cox on November 01, 2009, 08:36:13 PM
Thanks Maggi for getting the seed pictures up and running. It should help many of us over time, in identifying what we're doubtful about.

One comment which I hope is constructive, it would be helpful if the pictures can be taken directly overhead, or in conditions where the seeds don't throw a shadow. In some of the crocus pics it makes the seeds seem quite a lot larger.
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Maggi Young on November 01, 2009, 08:49:43 PM
Yes, a good point, Lesley.  Tricky business to get things just so, with such tiny subjects.

This will be a massive project, but the journey of a thousand miles starts with but a single step... as some footsore person once said!


 103 pix down... only another 5 thousand or so to go to cover the seedlist!  8)

see here: http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=4426.0
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Lesley Cox on November 01, 2009, 09:03:39 PM
Maybe after a while it will be necessary to divide the topic into, say, A-E, F-L, M-R etc. Then in time perhaps a closeup of the relevant flower, or whole fruit etc could be added. And it may be worth noting whether the seed is fresh or dried. In Tony's crocus pics the seeds are quite different visually from the fresh seeds in Mark's. Sorry, but as soon as something starts, there seem to pop up all kinds of difficulties.
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Maggi Young on November 01, 2009, 09:28:23 PM
Lesley, of course there are a mass of difficulties and wrinkles in such a project. But failing the money to employ someone in a seed bank to photograph everything in a studio and then someone else to match the photos, we decided to take the plunge and make a start. If someone else manages to do the job as thoroughly as might be hoped, then that will be fantastic, but we thought that such an undertaking could be a VERY long time coming  :P
I don't think we'll sort things alphabetically  in the Forum: because the list can be searched to find the pix and if someone is doing that it is easy enough to then find photos here or elsewhere on the web.

Meantime it is not too bad if there are duplicates... I would hope to sort those out in time, choosing clearest pix.  I am keeping a list, of course, plus the photos so all can be collated on a disc etc in the long run.  
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: David Shaw on November 29, 2009, 02:19:14 PM
EDIT BY MAGGI : comments moved from this thread: http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=4426.new#new  8)




I have not contributed to this thread yet. However, as a seed packeter I can now see just how valuable a resource it can be. I have had a slight question mark in the back of my mind for a couple of the donations received but, not being able to positively identify the seed, have let it be packeted as named. Next year I will take part in this aspect of seed identification and will contribute pictures of my own. Thanks to Chris, in particular, for his efforts this year.
Is there yet a site that collects these images together in alphabetical listing?
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Maggi Young on November 29, 2009, 02:33:43 PM
It is to be hoped that such a site or resource in CD form perhaps, will be available in the future. I am collating all the photos here offline of course, and listing them.
There is no need for these to be in alphbetical order in this format on the Forum because the names are all listed and so searchable.

I am delighted that the worth of such a project is becoming evident.

It is important, of course, for all contributers of photos to have verified the true naming of the seed before adding to the store......photos of seed just " called" X but not verified by the grower as X is no use!  :-X
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Lesley Cox on November 29, 2009, 09:41:40 PM
I have a few accumulating and must get on to them soon. Seed as "Iris sp" is perhaps not of much use as there are so many and "sp" could be any one of them.. Same for any other genus. Maybe put a pic of the iris in flower (and leaf) earlier in the season and get a positive ID then apply it to next year's seed.
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Hristo on November 30, 2009, 09:23:03 PM
Lesley, a good idea, maybe we could take it one step further and as a rule attach a flower picture to the seed as a further ID tool? Maybe one for next year!? ;)
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Maggi Young on November 30, 2009, 09:28:14 PM
 That sounds like a worthwhile further refinement :)
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Hristo on November 30, 2009, 09:42:37 PM
Ooops just noticed I had listed a load of pictures only identified at the genus level, I have deleted them to avoid any confusion. Put me behind a camera.......... ;)
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Maggi Young on June 01, 2010, 12:20:22 PM
An interesting link  to see watercolours of seeds:
http://www.see-seeds.co.uk

The Scottish artist Janet Mary Robinson has made a collection of paintings of seeds, covering 25 species, to make an illustrated record "A to Z of seeds"
 ( there is no example shown for "Q"!) in association with seed company Jelitto.

Quote from "Ornamentals News":
Perennial Seed Supplier Jelitto Seeds sponsored the series, which includes 26 paintings in total.

Among those on show will be depictions of Crambe cordifolia (Bleeding Heart), Fibigea clypeata (Roman Shields), Ranunculus gramineus (Grassy-leaved Buttercup) and the jellyfish-like seed of Scabiosa columbaria (Pincushion flower).

Artist, natural history and science illustrator Janet Mary Robinson said:  "The whole project started when I acquired a microscope. This gave me a view of the wonderful world of seeds. There were jellyfish, pig's ears and crazy hairstyles - all shapes that are caused by the bizarre adaptations of the seeds to their means of distribution. For example, seeds of the species Dicentra have little lunch boxes, which offer ants a snack - in exchange for free transport. I have attempted to capture all these amazing, colourful features in my watercolours."

Margot Jelitto said: "Janet is an artist who doesn't only have the necessary technical skills for nature paintings. She also has a love of her subjects and of detail that a natural illustrator needs to convey the hidden beauty of nature."

All  of the paintings are now available in digital form on the following website: www.see-seeds.co.uk "
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: PeterT on June 14, 2010, 07:08:23 PM
Hi Maggie, I thought bleeding hearts referd to a Dicentra not Crambie cordifolia ??? :-\
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Maggi Young on June 14, 2010, 07:38:41 PM
You and me both, Peter.... but that is the quote from the article!  :-X

 Edit: And looking again at the photo on the website, I see the Crambe picture has the subtitle in German of Herzblattriger Meerkohl.... so I think that's where the confusion has arisen  ::)  More to do with heart shaped (?) leaves than bleedinghearts!
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: TCJ on June 25, 2010, 08:27:56 PM
Hi Maggie, Hi PeterT,

sure enough someone had to spot this misnomer of Crambe cordifolia.

Whilst your explanation, Maggie, has a lot to go for I am afraid the truth is a human error. I simply got into the wrong row of my table with botanical, English and German names when writing the press release (Dicentra instead of Crambe). Quite embarrassing.

Sorry for the confusion.

To make good for it here the exclusive information that Janet Robinson has been awarded a silver gilt medal by the RHS for selected eight of these paintings at the BBC Gardener's World Live last weekend in Birmingham.

All the best

Till Jelitto



Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Maggi Young on June 25, 2010, 08:36:47 PM
Welcome, Till and thank you for your contribution about the muddle.... easy to make these mistakes ;)

This is good news about Janet Robinson's success .... congratulations to her for that and thanks to you, Till,  for the  information.
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Maggi Young on November 19, 2010, 07:03:43 PM
This is a handy site for north american wildflower seed ID.....
http://www.wildflower.org/gallery/search_image.php?start=0&id_collection=12&pagecount=10
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Maggi Young on August 01, 2011, 06:53:41 PM
Those of you seeking scale photos of seed types may be interested in this  website, part of the United States Dept. of Agriculture Ag. Research Service : http://www.ars-grin.gov/npgs/images/sbml/
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: fleurbleue on August 01, 2011, 07:59:36 PM
Wonderful website Maggi and very useful  ;) Thank you !
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: white dove on November 01, 2011, 03:33:34 PM
Hello everybody.
I saw this site for the first time And I want to tell that there is a digital seedatlas of the Netherlands.It is made by people of the university in Groningen
Mij english is not so very good, sorry.
I'll give you the link.
http://gas.ub.rug.nl/gas04.php
It costs 148 euro and has more than 4000 pictures
You pay and you get a password to log in
If you click on             pdf-bestand dowloaden met de Inhoudsopgave, Introductie, 3 pagina's met foto's, de begrippenlijst en de indices      you can see the list with plantseeds they have made a picture from(hm, bad english I think)
I hope to have been of some help
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Maggi Young on November 01, 2011, 03:44:42 PM
Hello White Dove, a useful link, thank  you.  I see that the download aslo has text in English.

This may also be of interest: "Purchase of the atlas gives you the right to access the website (www.seedatlas.nl).
Please contact the publisher (info@barkhuis.nl).
On the website you can see all the photographs on a larger scale and in more detail. The website offers search functions
based on the system used and on the characteristics of the seed. Private individuals get access to the website by means
of a user name and password, institutions through IP address authentication. "
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Tim Ingram on November 02, 2011, 01:42:56 PM
Maggi - your idea of accumulating photos of seed is such a good one. I have often thought about this, but also extended it to photos of the seed capsules of different plants. But it is a huge project! Ideally it would be good to relate the seed taxonomically as well as simply by name. It would also be useful, but possibly not financially viable, to publish it in book format in time, but this would be a long way down the line. There is a very fine book published by Timber Press on the 'Seeds of Woody Plants of North America' which gives such detailed information and advice on sowing requirements, but these are generally plants of more commercial value. But a book like this on alpines and hardy perennials would be fantastic!

What possibility might there be that this could be a combined project across the different specialist societies, notably the alpine and rock garden societies and the Hardy Plant Society?
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Maggi Young on November 02, 2011, 02:40:37 PM
The idea came from the possibility of cooperation with SRGC and NARGS initially, Tim. We hoped that the AGS would also take part. Sadly, apart from our efforts here, I have heard no more from our Seed Team, who were the ones in closest contact with the other Seed Exes.
I intend to continue our work here, and indeed this very day some more photos have arrived from a great grower who can be relied upon to produce accurate pictures. My idea is that if someone is doing something, it is surely better than the alternative! ;)
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: jandals on November 02, 2011, 06:22:40 PM
There is also 'Seeds of New Zealand Gymnosperms and Dicotyledons' by Colin J Webb and Margaret JA Simpson . Manuka Press 2001 . It's a great book and illustrates Raoulia seed really well . I bought another copy in May last year because our possum ate the cover on my original copy . If the SRGC has a library I can track down another copy and would happily exchange it with the club for some chocolate . Them big white chocolate things Angie had sound interesting ...
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Maggi Young on November 02, 2011, 06:31:15 PM
This one, Steve? http://www.mwpress.co.nz/store/viewItem.asp?idProduct=283
Looks good...... but not sure what the SRGC Treasurer's views are on chocolate transactions..... ;D
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: jandals on November 03, 2011, 09:32:18 AM
This one, Steve? http://www.mwpress.co.nz/store/viewItem.asp?idProduct=283

Yes , that's the one Maggi . I will see what I can do                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
Steve I just sent you a PM but not sure if it went through. Let me know if you didn't get it. In any case, I even forgot to put my name at the end of it. Not entirely with it at present.

Got your email and you cleverly put your name on at the start , so that worked out well . Will PM soon . Cheers
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Lesley Cox on November 05, 2011, 09:06:20 PM


Edit by maggi..... moved this and some other posts to this new thread.


I think this thread is just for the pictures themselves and not for comments about them, in which case could you maybe start a new thread Maggi named "Notes on Seed Identification" or something appropriate and maybe a link to it. Now I can't think what it was I wanted to say. ::)

Oh yes, How COULD they - change Mertensia pterocarpa to Steenhammera pterocarpa? >:( Does this change apply to any other Mertensia species?
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Maggi Young on November 05, 2011, 09:40:29 PM
The Kew PlantList says:" Mertensia pterocarpa (Turcz.) Tatew. & Ohwi is an unresolved name

This name is unresolved, but some data suggest that it is synonymous with Steenhammera pterocarpa Turcz.."

Looking at the list of names it seems that many Mertensia have confused  backgrounds, to say the least!
For example......
Mertensia aculeata (Sw.) Schult. is a synonym of Celtis iguanaea (Jacq.) Sarg. as is Mertensia commutata (Roem. & Schult.) Hemsl.

Mertensia alpina (Torr.) G. Don is a synonym of Cerinthodes alpinum Kuntze

Mertensia angusta Klotzsch ex Sturm is a synonym of Sticherus pruinosus (Mart.) Ching

Mertensia bancroftii (Hook.) Kunze is a synonym of Diplopterygium bancroftii (Hook.) A.R. Sm.

Mertensia brasiliana Desv. is a synonym of Gleichenella pectinata (Willd.) Ching

Mertensia coeruleoglauca Poir. is a synonym of Gleichenia polypodioides (L.) Sm.

Mertensia dichotoma (Thunb.) Willd. is a synonym of Dicranopteris linearis (Burm. f.) Underw.


Goodness knows what else is going on.... who would be a Seed Exchange Seed checker?  :o :-X
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Lesley Cox on December 17, 2011, 10:01:20 PM







This book seems a good one for those interested in seeds......
Atlas of Seeds and Fruits of Central and East-European Flora: The Carpathian Mountains Region (Hardcover)
by Vít Bojnanský (Author), Agáta Fargaová (Author)

Over one thousand pages, glossary, pictorial glossary, drawings, descriptions....   8)


http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1402053614/sr=1-1/qid=1324133197/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&qid=1324133197&sr=1-1&seller=#reader_1402053614

Springer, 2007 - Science - 1046 pages
The Atlas of Seeds and Fruits of Central and East-European Flora presents nearly 4,800 seed illustrations, supplemented with detailed seed descriptions, brief plant descriptions, and information on the locality and the native source of plants. The Carpathian flora covered in this atlas occurs not only in the Carpathian Mountains, but also in large lowlands extending towards the south, north and east and involves introduced and invading flora of more than 7,500 species. Since the morphological characteristics of the seeds are usually constant they are very important for determination of systematic units. This publication is unique on two counts. Its scope extends to an unprecedented number of different plant seeds from a wide-ranging region. Moreover, it presents descriptions in unusual detail.

Botany & Plant Sciences
ISBN 13: 9781402053610 ISBN 10: 1402053614

Strictly for the botanist/taxonomist I think and VERY pricey.
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Hoy on January 16, 2012, 10:09:47 PM
Maggi, when you finish Chapter one in your book of plants from seed to seeding, (Chapter one is the one regarding form and colour of all known seeds) do you continue with seedlings and cotyledons? It is still some plants I can't recognize as seedlings ;)
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Maggi Young on January 16, 2012, 10:17:01 PM
Well, I don't know what the plan might be for future projects! It will be hard enough to get all the seed photos we want for "alpine plant" seeds  :o ??? :-\
 Thank goodness for those few folks who are producing their photos for the Seeds to Scale lists.
I don't even know what is happening in the other societies to contribute their photos. I was asked if Forumists could help and so that's how we got started but  it was the impression of others in the SRGC Seed team that nothing was happening!
We have around 530 pictures in the Forum listing now. A drop in the seed ocean but  I think it s hows willing!

I understand what you mean... there are some real problems with seedling recognition.... but some of the existing seed websites do have seedling pix already. 
Perhaps someone would like to follow on that theme?  We will have to see what, for instance, is contained in Kristl Walek's book...... 8)
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Hoy on January 16, 2012, 10:22:21 PM
Perhaps someone would like to follow on that theme?  We will have to see what, for instance, is contained in Kristl Walek's book...... 8)


When I retire . . . . . and don't know what to fill my days with ;) Or sooner if I get a kick :o
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Maggi Young on January 16, 2012, 10:31:22 PM
Perhaps someone would like to follow on that theme?  We will have to see what, for instance, is contained in Kristl Walek's book...... 8)


When I retire . . . . . and don't know what to fill my days with ;) Or sooner if I get a kick :o
You know, for any project like the seeds to scale, or the seedling idea, all it takes is for folks with cameras to take a little time to take pictures as they sow the seeds, as Magnar has been doing in the last few days, or as the  seedlings emerge and grow..... :D


 Wondering if I shouldn't move these posts to the Seed area?
Edit:moved to the seed area!
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Maggi Young on January 18, 2012, 10:58:51 AM
There is already existing, of course, this thread :
http://www.srgc.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=6490.0  which was called "germinating now" but which I have re-named to make it clear that photos of seedlings are more than welcome   ;)

A start  to your project, Trond!
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Hoy on January 18, 2012, 11:11:10 AM
OK, I'll bring my camera along when I inspect my seedpots! Hope the names are correct then :-\
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Maggi Young on January 18, 2012, 11:16:36 AM

Quote
Hope the names are correct then

It will be a chance to find that out, for all of us!
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Maggi Young on September 14, 2013, 07:41:19 PM
Tim Ingram has today contributed a fine selection of  seed pix - thanks Tim!

656 pictures so far..... :) .... only about 4500  to go before we have a really useful  number of them-  if you are collecting seed for the SRGC Seed Exchange, for any of the other Exchanges, of just for your own use- if you can, please take a photo of those  for which you are confident of the naming - on  graph paper of a known size, or alongside a metric ruler, to show the scale of the seeds.  Save these as a file under 200kb, ( and approx 750 x 600 pixels in size)  name the picture with the name of the plant and post them to the Seeds to Scale pages : http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=4426.msg283843#msg283843 (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=4426.msg283843#msg283843)
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Maggi Young on December 11, 2013, 04:15:59 PM
David Pilling, who contributed  this article to the PBS site : http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/PhotographingSeeds (http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/PhotographingSeeds)      and built the machine:
http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/PhotographingSeedsTwo (http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/PhotographingSeedsTwo)  ...... has been adding some seed photos-  thanks, David.

When seed arrives from the various seed exchanges or merchants, how about taking time to photograph the seeds for this Seed ID   project? http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=4426.0 (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=4426.0)

Or, as the seedlings grow, what about pictures of the developing plants for the  Germinating Now thread? http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=6490.0 (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=6490.0)

With a little work from forumists we can add greatly to this resource........ :)
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: ashley on December 11, 2013, 05:08:50 PM
When seed arrives from the various seed exchanges or merchants, how about taking time to photograph the seeds for this Seed ID   project? http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=4426.0 (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=4426.0)

Or, as the seedlings grow, what about pictures of the developing plants for the  Germinating Now thread? http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=6490.0 (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=6490.0)

With a little work from forumists we can add greatly to this resource........ :)
Mistakes can happen in the exchanges Maggi, so might it not be better to restrict these excellent databases to seeds/seedlings from plants that have been identified?
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Maggi Young on December 11, 2013, 05:33:49 PM
Yes of course, Ashley - and that is stated in the beginning of the Seeds to scale  thread-  I was rather hoping that folks might already have read that and be going with pix of seed of which they were sure.

'Seed Identification : photos of named seed varieties.


This topic is exclusively for posting photographs of named, fully identified, seeds.
The object  is to work towards as full a listing of verified seeds as possible. '   
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Rick R. on December 12, 2013, 04:17:46 AM
And may I add my yearly plea for germination information in the Germinating Now thread.

  Gotta love the photos, but they mean so much more with some "how to" commentary!
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Susan Band on December 12, 2013, 06:21:33 AM
Another great site for pictures of seed is http://www.hazmac.biz/seedhome.html (http://www.hazmac.biz/seedhome.html)
Susan
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Diane Whitehead on January 20, 2014, 09:13:06 PM
I just discovered a website with good photos of seeds of Korean plants:

http://www.seedbank.re.kr/list.php (http://www.seedbank.re.kr/list.php)
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Maggi Young on March 21, 2014, 05:52:26 PM
Amazing pictures of seed - as art really!


http://www.inspirationgreen.com/seeds.html (http://www.inspirationgreen.com/seeds.html)

http://www.robkesseler.co.uk/ (http://www.robkesseler.co.uk/)
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Maggi Young on October 22, 2014, 01:16:11 PM
The International Society for Seed Science  may be of interest to some of you.

They also have a links page :   http://seedscisoc.org/useful-links/ (http://seedscisoc.org/useful-links/)
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Maggi Young on November 19, 2014, 01:18:03 PM
A reminder about the site Diane mentioned -  Yann has found it interesting too:
http://www.seedbank.re.kr/detail.php?seed=1469.1 (http://www.seedbank.re.kr/detail.php?seed=1469.1)
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Maggi Young on February 22, 2015, 04:06:34 PM
From Stephen Barstow's blog page :

"Seed seed and more seed"
216 pictures of seed mostly collected in my garden during autumn/ winter 2014-2015:
http://s304.photobucket.com/user/stevil2008_photo/library/Facebook/Seedy%20Autumn%202014 (http://s304.photobucket.com/user/stevil2008_photo/library/Facebook/Seedy%20Autumn%202014)

Previously posted on FB here: https://www.facebook.com/stephen.barstow.7/media_set?set=a.10152657183550860.1073742196.655215859&type=3 (https://www.facebook.com/stephen.barstow.7/media_set?set=a.10152657183550860.1073742196.655215859&type=3)


 Seed not shown with a scale measurement- but very interesting nonetheless.
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Maggi Young on October 12, 2015, 03:09:23 PM
Continuing thanks to those kind people sending pix of seed types - much appreciated.
I feel that these pix can be  of interest simply as items of beauty , quite apart from their usefulness in ID.  8)
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Maggi Young on February 12, 2016, 03:11:31 PM
 A website  on the "Seeds of Southern Australia"   .... www.saseedbank.com.au (http://www.saseedbank.com.au)   - this website is related to a conservation seedbank - " The Seeds of South Australia website is actively being developed.
Images and data are continuously being added for South Australian plant species.

South Australian Seed Conservation Centre "
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Gabriela on February 12, 2016, 05:53:20 PM
A website  on the "Seeds of Southern Australia"   .... www.saseedbank.com.au (http://www.saseedbank.com.au)   - this website is related to a conservation seedbank - " The Seeds of South Australia website is actively being developed.
Images and data are continuously being added for South Australian plant species.
South Australian Seed Conservation Centre "

Nicely done! Great features too, like comparing species of the same genus. Too bad there are so many we don't find in NA (or Europe...).
Even an embryo chart!!!
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Maggi Young on February 19, 2016, 07:45:44 PM
In January 3rd.  2010 Chris (Hristo)  posted a seed pic of  Portulaca fulgens on a 1mm grid ....

[attachimg=1]

 and look as this  fabulous image I just found .....  I'm not sure what species it is of, but worth seeing in conjunction, I think. Magical what  wonders are hidden from our  poor human eyes in these seeds !

[attachimg=2]
"A stereo microscopic view of the Purslane (Portulaca) seed reveals an intricate pattern of jigsaw puzzle pieces on its surface."

Photo by Yanping Wang from the Beijing Planetarium in Beijing, China.


Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Gabriela on February 19, 2016, 07:58:28 PM
Living art!!!
If we would be able to see with our eyes how many seeds look under an SEM than anyone would start collecting them  :)
Those who like books can see many such images in "Seeds- time capsules of life" published by Kew.
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Maggi Young on February 19, 2016, 08:17:03 PM
 I remember seeing  that book mentioned before - it's available at a reasonable price  vis the Amazon  link at the foot of this page : here (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Seeds-Time-Capsules-Life-compact/dp/1906506523/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1455912311&sr=1-1&keywords=Seeds%3A+Time+Capsules+of+Life) to enjoy it and benefit the SRGC too!

[attachimg=1]

'Seeds: Time Capsules of Life'       publ.  23 Oct 2012
by Wolfgang Stuppy (Author), Rob Kesseler (Photographer), H R H the Prince of Wales (Preface)
Hardcover: 264 pages
Publisher: Earth Aware Editions (23 Oct. 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9781608871117
ISBN-13: 978-1608871117
ASIN: 1608871118
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Gabriela on February 20, 2016, 02:58:38 AM
The other two from the Kew series are equally interesting and beautifully illustrated, they should come up together on Amazon.
Fruit-Edible, Inedible, Incredible
Pollen-The Hidden Sexuality of Flowers
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Cfred72 on February 20, 2016, 10:32:08 AM
Really wonderful world that is hidden to our eyes. So many things we still do not know
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Gabriela on February 23, 2016, 09:46:37 PM
A link to the Harvard Seed Herbarium, from Arnold Arboretum -
http://www.arboretum.harvard.edu/plants/herbaria/seed-herbarium/ (http://www.arboretum.harvard.edu/plants/herbaria/seed-herbarium/)
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Maggi Young on March 29, 2016, 10:33:00 PM
Please note the New Seed germination reporting system  that was  prepared and  shared with SRGC by  Erik Fleischer - I commend it to you, too - all submissions are welcome   http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=13727.0 (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=13727.0) 

There is also a section for photographs of germinating seedlings - which can be of use to those wondering if they are growing the "correct" plant : http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=6490.0 (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=6490.0)

The Pacific Bulb Society  has a very useful page on seed  collecting, cleaning  and preparation  http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/CleaningSeeds (http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/CleaningSeeds)

 You can also find  photos of  many bulb seeds on the PBS  wiki http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/PhotographsAndInformation (http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/PhotographsAndInformation)
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Maggi Young on June 22, 2016, 11:11:53 AM
The Fritillaria Icones project now has updated Fritillaria seed images, now 91 taxa included in the PDF :
 http://www.fritillariaicones.com/info/seeds.html (http://www.fritillariaicones.com/info/seeds.html)
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Maggi Young on July 17, 2016, 05:49:27 PM
A link to a  Digital Seed Atlas of the Canary Islands  - site in Spanish and English:

http://atlasdesemillasdecanarias.org/index.php (http://atlasdesemillasdecanarias.org/index.php)
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Gabriela on July 24, 2016, 07:50:48 PM
Found this when looking to double-check a Cimicifuga; excellent site, in English actually, only the title tabs are in Korean.
Seeds of wild plants of Korea - http://www.seedbank.re.kr/list.php (http://www.seedbank.re.kr/list.php)
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Carolyn on July 25, 2016, 09:44:00 AM
That's a useful site, Gabriela, thanks for introducing it. Good photos, but a pity there is no grid or mm scale to show relative sizes of seeds. I guess the photos are not all to the same scale, to compare seed sizes?
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Maggi Young on July 25, 2016, 01:04:18 PM
That's a useful site, Gabriela, thanks for introducing it. Good photos, but a pity there is no grid or mm scale to show relative sizes of seeds. I guess the photos are not all to the same scale, to compare seed sizes?

 If you open each seed type, there is a size guide given with each one, Carolyn.
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Carolyn on July 25, 2016, 01:32:51 PM
Thanks, Maggi, I will have a more detailed look at the site then.
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Gabriela on September 05, 2016, 11:44:43 PM
Various seeds and fruits images from El Herbario JACA - of Instituto Pirenaico de Ecologia (Spain). Following links through the Instituto main page there is access to Flora of Aragon and Flora of the Pyrenees.

http://herbario.ipe.csic.es/es/listado-imagenes.php?galeria=3 (http://herbario.ipe.csic.es/es/listado-imagenes.php?galeria=3)
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Maggi Young on September 09, 2016, 01:50:58 PM

And now an Italian site ....... ( sorry for my earlier error!)
Acta Plantarum: Seeds and other primary dispersion units
 photo gallery built by Giuliano Salvai with images of members in Acta Plantarum
 7173 Pictures about 4406 species divided into 169 Families

http://www.actaplantarum.org/semi_dispersione/index_famiglie.php (http://www.actaplantarum.org/semi_dispersione/index_famiglie.php)

Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Gabriela on September 10, 2016, 01:41:27 PM
Acta Plantarum website is a botanical wonder on the whole Maggi. I just need to make a short mention - it is Italian ;)

The Forum is great as well and open without registration; I like the idea of an index for their "Itinerari botanici" ('I've traveled' on quite a few).
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Maggi Young on September 10, 2016, 02:11:29 PM
Acta Plantarum website is a botanical wonder on the whole Maggi. I just need to make a short mention - it is Italian ;)


 Ooops, so it is!! Mea culpa!
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Maggi Young on September 12, 2016, 07:23:49 PM
The super Fritillaria Icones site of Laurence  Hill adds more frit seed info > http://www.fritillariaicones.com/info/seeds.html  (http://www.fritillariaicones.com/info/seeds.html)
and
www.fritillariaicones.com/info/Fritillaria_seeds.pdf (http://www.fritillariaicones.com/info/Fritillaria_seeds.pdf)

Title: Types of Gentiana seeds and their corresponding species - new thread
Post by: Maggi Young on October 02, 2016, 05:47:19 PM
Types of Gentiana seeds and their corresponding species - (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=14791.msg364351#msg364351) for a new topic  on the subject of Gentiana seeds, started by Gabriela, please see this new thread: (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=14791.msg364351#msg364351) http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=14791.0 (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=14791.0)l]
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Maggi Young on January 15, 2017, 04:09:06 PM
Those of you with access to Facebook may find the photo album- Seeds and Fruits: Biological Photography  - of Ohshima Toshiaki interesting -  CLICK HERE (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100007278251413&sk=photos&collection_token=100007278251413%3A2305272732%3A69&set=a.1524910687761525.1073741833.100007278251413&type=3)
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Maggi Young on February 18, 2019, 03:41:43 PM
The folks of the  Hardy Plant Society are working on a similar project to ours - see their  resource  here :
http://www.hardy-plant.org.uk/images/seed-image (http://www.hardy-plant.org.uk/images/seed-image)
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Maggi Young on July 23, 2019, 04:19:20 PM
Cactaceae seed gallery
http://cactus-aventures.com/TaxonomySeedGallery/Seeds%20album/TaxonomyCactaceaeSeedsGallery.html (http://cactus-aventures.com/TaxonomySeedGallery/Seeds%20album/TaxonomyCactaceaeSeedsGallery.html)

Fascinating magnified  images
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: Maggi Young on August 05, 2021, 10:32:31 AM
Another site with seed images :
 http://www.alpine-plants-jp.com/himitunohanazono/index_himitunohanazono_0.htm
Title: Re: Seed Identification project- notes
Post by: MarcR on March 16, 2022, 11:52:05 PM
...please take photos of the various seed types you have, spread on 1mm graph paper to show the scale, and send the named photos to me in the first instance.
The idea will be to post them, eventually, in a special seed ID section of the forum and produce a "library" of  photos of seed likely to be found in the seed exchanges of the SRGC, NARGS and  AGS .

.....We are trying to compile a file of photos of correctly named seed to help identify true seed for packers of the seed exchanges and to let folks see if the seed they "think" they have bears any resemblence to the true type seed at all!
.

Maggie,

What a great idea!  I am not very talented with a camera; but I will try to help :D
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