Abstract:Seed anatomy of Ensete glaucum (Musaceae), Ravenala madagascariensis (Strelitziaceae) and Heliconia faranmansis (Heliconiaceae) was studied. Seeds of Ensete glaucum comprise seed coat, perisperm, endosperm and embryo, aril absent. Epidermis, sclerenchyma and sclereid are differentiated from seed coat and the sclereid thickened on anticlinal and inner periclinal walls. Chalazal chamber and chalazal mass are well-differentiated but the endotesta is continuous in chalazal region. Micropylar Micropylar collar and operculum exist in micropylar region．The operculum consists of only sclereid endotesta ，and the testa extends and results in a hilum cavity within this region．Perisperm has only one layer of cells while endosperm is massive and abundant in starch grains．Seeds in Ravenala madagascariensis have aril，seed coat includes exotesta，mesotesta and endotesta．The exotesta cells are elongated in longitudinal section and rounded in tran sverse section, and the cell walls of exotesta are thickened like those in Zingiberaceae． Mesotesta contains 7-9 layers of parenchyma cells which are tangentially elongated and the endotesta cells are sclereids． Chalazal chamber and chalazal mass are absent,and the endotesta is discontinuous and forming a gap．The gap is filled with parenchyma cells which is trumpet, shaped in outline．Micropylar collar and operculum are absent in micropylar region． Perisperm is not diferentiated but endosperm is well-developed． Aril is absent in the seeds of Heliconia faranmansis and the seed coat without diferentiation consists of a few layers of parenchyma palisade cells which are small in size and radially elongated．Seed coat extends outwards and forms a caruncle—like structure． Micropylar collar and operculum are not differentiated but a sclerotic plug is formed from endocarp, Chalazal chamber and chalazal mass are absent， and the endotesta is discontinuous and filled with parenchyma cells．There are about 3-4 layers of perisperm cells，the cell wall of which is curved．Endosperm iS massive and rich in starch grains．Based on the studies on seed anatomy of the three representatives and of Orchidantha chinensis, and the previous studies，the characteristics and patterns of seed anatomy in banana families of Zingiberales are discussed．
