Term:
Hypogeal germination
Hypogeal germination
Definition:
A type of seed germination in which the cotyledons are retained below the ground.
A type of seed germination in which the cotyledons are retained below the ground.
Glossary Details:
Title: Seed germination of an oak tree. Photo by C. A. Gracie.
Description: Seed germination and seedling development of Quercus velutina based on an unvouchered plant from Westchester County, New York. In this species, the cotyledons stay inside of the seed at germination (i.e., they are cryptocotylar cotyledons) and the seed germinates when the cotyledons are underground (i.e., hypogeal germination).