Page 71 - The Miracle In The Seed

Seed Dispersal

After pollination, the clematis (far left) extends out its
characteristic tendrils densely covered with hairs.
The two pictures above show the seeds of the cotton
plant.

Plants Whose Seeds Are Dispersed by Water

Plants growing on the seashore or on riverbanks use the nearby
water to disperse their seeds. To achieve this, these seeds must be wa-
ter-resistant and have very special structures. Waterproof and unsin-
kable, they are created to be resilient enough to preserve their ability to
flourish, even after a prolonged journey in seawater.
The seeds of such plants are rende-
red waterproof by their thick, glossy ou-
ter shells. They are able to float,
sometimes due to an air chamber or the-
ir airy, spongy structure; or sometimes,
as in the case of small seeds, thanks to
water’s surface tension.
Coconut palms can be found on
tropical shores all over the world. The
coconut seed, one of the seeds dispersed
by water, is contained in a hard shell to
provide safe travel. Everything it needs
for its long journey, including fresh wa-
ter, is contained inside this hard shell.
The tough texture of the outer layer pro-

Coconut starting to germinate on reaching the
shore