Glossary Details – French Guianan E-Flora Project

Glossary Details:

Title: Water dispersed fruits. Photo by S. A. Mori.

Description: Water-dispersed fruits of Swartzia laevicarpa based on an unvouchered plant from Amazonas, Brazil. Note the the fleshy cotyledons are arched in such a way that an air chamber is formed between them. When the seeds drop into the water they are more buoyant because of the air pocket.

Term:

Cotyledons arched

Definition:

Cotyledons that are bowed in such a way that there is an air space between which is usually an adaptation for water dispersal.