Article

Five different populations or Schouwia a DC. from Egypt and Saudi Arabia were studied . Samples of these populations were studied morphological1y, cytological1y and biochemical1y. The morphol ogical characters of tlowers, fruits and seeds were investigated by light microseope while seed eoat sculpture was investigated using Scanning Electron Microscope. The somatic chromosome number (2n ~ 36) with the mean length (1.76 11m) \Vere also measured. Storage seed proteins were studied electrophoreti cal1 y using SDS-PAGE u:cnnique. The presem rcsuhs revealed Ihal Schouwia DC. is a montypic genus Wlln oniy oll e polymorphic species Schouwia purpurea (Forssk.) Sehweinf.