While studying the morphology of a seed, a student observes that its seed coat is membranous and fused with the fruit wall. The seed possesses a bulky endosperm, and its outer covering separates the embryo by a proteinous layer. Identify the plant to which this seed belongs.

Step-by-step solution

The morphological features described in the question, such as a membranous seed coat fused with the fruit wall, a bulky endosperm, and a proteinous aleurone layer separating the embryo, are characteristic of monocotyledonous endospermic seeds of cereals like maize. Castor is incorrect because it is a dicotyledonous endospermic seed and its seed coat is not fused with the fruit wall. Orchid is incorrect because, although it is a monocot, it produces non-endospermic seeds. Gram is incorrect as it is a dicotyledonous