question_answer

Describe the various ways by which the seeds are dispersed.

Answer:

The dispersal of seeds occurs in following ways:

(i) By the wind: Some plants, like drumstick have winged seeds, while other plant like milkweed have tufts of hair which help them ride on the wind.

(ii) By water: The fibrous covering of coconut helps it float in water and is carried far away from the parent plant.

(iii) By animals: Birds, monkeys and other animals eat the fruits of many plants and throw away the seeds. Some plants have fruits or seeds with hooks, bristles or spines. These get attached to the fur of animals or to our clothes. They are carried a long way before they fall off or are brushed off.

(iv) By exploding fruits: The fruits of the rubber tree, balsam and beans explode when they ripen. The sudden bursting of the fruit scatters the seeds away from the parent plant.