In the January issue of Scientific American we offer an unusual tour of the Amazon's biodiversity—by way of its seeds. A photo feature by editor Anna Kuchment presents 24 seeds from the Amazon recently catalogued by botanists Fernando Cornejo and John Janovec of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas.

There's more where that came from. Cornejo and Janovec catalogued some 750 seeds for their new field guide, Seeds of Amazonian Plants (Princeton University Press, 2010).

Here are five more photos, in close-up detail, along with commentary from Janovec in some of the captions.

2 Comments

1. 1. JDahiya 09:28 AM 2/12/11

   The last one, Anacardiaceae Spondias, is like a sculpture in wood! Beautiful photos, thanks for publishing.

   Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this

2. 2. scilo 10:37 AM 1/19/12

   I agree, most amazing.
   I hope the wonders we have lost inspires our good protective nature.

   Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this