• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.71-78
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• 1989

The structural changes in the pericarp of Panax ginseng fruit cells are studied during maturation periods. The pericarp can be divided into exocarp, mesocarp and endocarp. The exocarp consists of one layer of epidermal cells which is covered by a thin cuticle and hypodermal cells. A central vacuole and peripheral cytoplasm are observed in the exocarp and mesocarp. Also, irregular wall arrangement are observed during the differentiation. The endocarp is clearly marked off from the others by secondaw wall thickening and lignification. Secretory materials produced by the Golgi complex and rough endoplasmic reticulum vesicles appear to accumulated in the cell wall. These secretory materials are considered major components of the seed coat during the differentiation.