OBJECTIVETo understand the embryo after-ripening phenomenon of Panax quinquefolium, the growth and development process of fruit and seed was investigated in this study.

METHODThe growth and development characteristics of fruit and seed were obtained by field observation, the morphological changes were measured with a vernier caliper, paraffin section was used as well.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONThe plant reached the most flowering numbers in 5-8 d after initial blooming time and the lag phase of embryo occurred in about 70 d. The size, fresh and dry weight of fruit and seed were all reached maximum in fruit maturation period. As the result showed, the development of seed was stopped at torpedo form of embryos, this conclusion can be applied to explore the morphological after-ripening mechanism of P. quinquefolium seed.