Introduction
For plant reproduction to be effective, the parent plant must disperse seeds where the seed can get enough nutrients to become a mature adult plant and continue the cycle. If the parent plant can not disperse seeds away from the original source of the seed (the plant) then the seed will not stand a chance against the parent plant, in the competition for water and sunlight. Depending on the species of the parent plant, the plant may disperse seeds in one of many ways: wind dispersal, water dispersal, explosion, and animal dispersal.
Water Dispersal
Water dispersal is useful for plants that grow in or near water. Most of these plants, such as the Foxglove and the Harebells, have small seeds that are light enough to float on top of the water. The Foxglove specifically, produces millions of tiny, lightweight seeds that are dropped from the plant’s tubular bell. These seeds are then carried by water to the shores of arable land. The coconut is a common but unusual seed that travels by water dispersal. These seeds fall from the parent plant and can float for miles to the shores of other beaches. The coconut has a wood-like outer shell that acts as a waterproof cover.
Animal Dispersal
Animal dispersal is useful to plants in grasslands where animals graze and inhabit. One form of seeds that travel by animal dispersal is referred to as “hitchhiker” seeds. These seeds attach themselves to the fur or feathers of an animal using either single hooks, double hooks, or