Objective:To provide scientific basis for the quality evaluation and identification of Belamcanda chinensis

Iris tectorum and I. lactea var. chinensis seeds by studying the morphological and anatomical structure of seeds. Method:The morphology was observed under stereo microscope

and paraffin sections were made to observe the anatomical structure. Result:Seeds of B. chinensis

and I. tectorum were spherical and enveloped with black lustrous arils

with reticulate grain outside. The hilum of B. chinensis was round or oval

tawny

adn low arched. The hilum of I. tectorum was round

hoary or yellowish white. Seeds of I. lactea var. chinensis were irregularly spherical

dark brick-red

tan or atropurpureus

and lusterless

with episperm and endopleura closely combined. The hilum of I. lactea var. chinensis was yellowish white and linear. The microscopic structure showed that the testa cells of B. chinensis were heliotrope

and of I. tectorum were dark purple. I. lactea var. chinensis seeds had no arils

but with a complex testa structure. All of seeds of the three species possessed a compact endosperm

and the embryos were usually central. I. lactea var. chinensis seeds were different from B. chinensis and I. tectorum seeds in shape

color

the presence or absence of aril

shape and color of hilum. Based on the above characteristics

I. lactea var. chinensis seeds could be distinguished from the latter two species. B. chinensis and I. tectorum seeds were similar in appearance

but they were different in shape and color of hilum and color of testa cells

which can be regarded as identification characters. Conclusion:All of the above mentioned characteristics can be used to distinguish B. chinensis

I. tectorum and I. lactea var. chinensis seeds and provide basis for identifying them.