Botany

» Jennifer W. Miner - Seed dispersal

Interesting - thank you!

I just read in the Science Section of today's NY Times that the giant stinky flower - whatever it's name is, it smells like rotting flesh and is native to Madagascar - smells that way to attract flies, which in turn act as its pollinator. Pretty clever huh?

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» Violet Snow - Seed dispersal

In response to Seed dispersal posted by JenniferMiner:
Yes, the Rafflesia is also distinctive because it is so huge. But there is also a plant called carrion flower that is native to the U.S. and has the same type of odor and pollination strategy. Plants will go to amazing lengths to carve out a niche.

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» Barbara Stewart - Seed dispersal

In response to Seed dispersal posted by vsnow:
It seems the Rafflesia produces fruit that are eaten by small mammals. Is any more known about seed dispersal and how the seeds germinate? As it is a parasitic plant, it probably needs cues from its host to trigger germination. Maybe it it too rare to provide opportunities for study.

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» Violet Snow - Seed dispersal

In response to Seed dispersal posted by nemarotu:
Edward S. Ross, curator emeritus of entomology at the California Academy of Sciences, writes:

"Botanists are uncertain how Rafflesia seeds disperse and get 'planted' in new hosts. One theory postulates that when hooved animals such as deer, wild pigs, and tapirs inadvertently trample mushy, rotting Rafflesia flowers, the seeds adhere to the hairs on their feet. While walking through the forest, their sharp hooves might cut the bark of a buried liana and push seeds into the wound. Other scientists think that tree shrews or ground squirrels gnaw the columns of dead female flowers, and spread the seed in their waste. Rain helps the seeds, which are only slightly larger than those of poppies, percolate into bark crevices. Either way, the process doesn't succeed often, for the plants are quite rare."

After describing bud formation, he comments:

"If left undamaged, the mature buds literally burst into bloom. I have been told that the sudden unfolding of each fleshy, petal-like lobe makes a sucking sound much like a foot pulled from mud."

Lovely description. For more, see:
http://www.calacademy.org/calwild/2003su...

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