Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Seed sculpturing
Fruits and seeds are often aesthetically pleasing natural objects but they reveal a whole new layer of complexity under the microscope. This is the ripe seed capsule of red campion Silene dioica which has just split open at the tip, with the segments at the apex rolling back to form a ring of teeth. Inside are the seeds, each bearing a complex surface pattern on their seed coats. Fruit and seed structures are often doagnistic characters within plant families and many species in the campion family (Caryophyllaceae) have capsules like this that split open to form a ring of teeth, that open and close depending on air moisture levels, protecting the seeds during wet weeather and opening to allow them to be shaken out when the sun shines. You can see another example at http://cabinetofcuriosities-greenfingers.blogspot.com/2009/07/exquisite-seed-dispenser.html
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