In this work, we studied morphologic, anatomical and developmental aspects of Schizolobium parahyba (Vell.) Blake pericarp with aim to describe the fruit wall, supplying subsidies to taxonomic and phylogenetic works with Caesalpinioideae; still, we intend to identify and to relate the pericarp structures involved with fragmentation process, which culminates in seed dispersion. During fruit development we defined four stages: I - ovary; II - very young fruits with meristematic activity in pericarp; III - young fruits until its definitive size, characterized for the cellular elongation; IV - ripening fruits, including mesocarp and endocarp lignification, culminating in the pericarp fragmentation. In conclusion, the papiraceous part responsible to seed dispersion is the whole endocarp, including the sclerenchymatic stratum and inner parenchyma cells.
anatomy; development; morphology; pericarp; Schizolobium parahyba
