Term:
Elaiosome
Elaiosome
Definition:
A fleshy, oily outgrowth of the seed coat that is eaten by ants. In the process, the ants often disperse the seeds away from the mother plant.
A fleshy, oily outgrowth of the seed coat that is eaten by ants. In the process, the ants often disperse the seeds away from the mother plant.
Notes:
Seeds with elaisomes are common in spring ephemerala, e.g., Sanguinaria canadensis (bloodroot), Dicentra cucullaria(Dutchman's breeches), and Stylophorum diphyllum (Celadine-poppy). See Gracie (2012)..
Seeds with elaisomes are common in spring ephemerala, e.g., Sanguinaria canadensis (bloodroot), Dicentra cucullaria(Dutchman's breeches), and Stylophorum diphyllum (Celadine-poppy). See Gracie (2012)..