Discover - Ways Seeds Can Be Dispersed


Seeds are the fertilized part of the plant that can grow into a new plant. Some seeds are located in or on the fruit of a plant. How do seeds get to where they can germinate and then grow into a new plant? Do they need help in their travels? How far do seeds have to travel? All these questions are addressed in this activity.

 Notebook: What are the ways that seeds are dispersed?

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  2. Complete the activity using the links provided (in the activity and below).
  3. Check your answers below.
  4. Save your corrected work to your Plant Notebook.            

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    Check Your Answers


    Wind- Seeds that are moved by wind usually have a special appendage that helps to catch the wind (hair or feather-like structures attached to the actual seed.
    Water- Seeds that can float are carried along by water until they reach a place downstream where they can germinate.
    Animals- Some seeds get stuck on animal's fur or feathers, and carried to a new place.  Other seeds are eaten, and then deposited in a new location.
    Explosion- Some plants can shoot their seeds out of their pods!

    Environmental  Connection

    Some plants disperse their seeds through a process called zoochory. This means they have various ways to hitch rides with animals. Here is an interesting article on the Australian Mistletoe Bird. Without these birds, no mistletoe would be available for Christmas time!