Rather than waiting to be dispersed before germinating, viviparous seeds germinate inside of fruits that are still attached to their parent plants. For this select group of plants, vivipary is part of the reproductive strategy. In rare instances, dispersal via seeds offers little advantage instead, dispersal of live seedlings or propagules is preferable. ![]() ![]() The fruits (and accompanying seeds) of doubleclaw ( Proboscidea parviflora) are well equipped for long distance dispersal. Thus, finding the right time and space to get a good start is imperative. ![]() The most vulnerable time in a plant’s life comes when it is a young seedling. In many cases, such as in temperate climates or in times of drought or low light, germinating too soon could be detrimental. There is rarely a need for a seed to germinate immediately upon reaching maturity. Agents of dispersal and mechanisms of dormancy allow seeds to travel through time and space - promises of new plants yet to be realized. Physical and chemical factors inhibit them from germinating prematurely – a phenomenon known as dormancy. Their seed coats (and often – in the case of angiosperms – the fruits they were born in) help direct them and protect them in this journey. When released from their parent plant, they commence a journey that, if successful, will bring them to a suitable location where they can take up residence (upon germination) and carry out a life similar to that of their parents.
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