14.2: Dispersal Mechanisms
- Page ID
- 35355
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Ballistic
![A cluster of purplish, swollen berries on a small plant lacking chlorophyll, growing out of a pine branch](https://bio.libretexts.org/@api/deki/files/44825/large.jpg?revision=1&size=bestfit&width=515&height=548)
![A bird (A) and a seed shooting out from a berry, propelled by a jet of water (B)](https://bio.libretexts.org/@api/deki/files/44826/Mistletoe-seed-dispersal-A-As-the-primary-seed-dispersers-in-Australia-mistletoebirds.png?revision=1&size=bestfit&width=327&height=452)
![A dwarf mistletoe seed](https://bio.libretexts.org/@api/deki/files/44827/The_sticky_seed_of_juniper_dwarf_mistletoe_(Arceuthobium_oxycedri)_from_the_Crimea.jpg?revision=1&size=bestfit&width=470&height=627)
Video \(\PageIndex{1}\): Watch this fun video of different plants utilizing ballistic seed dispersal. Sourced from YouTube.
Wind
![Four sets of paired seeds (maple "helicopters" or fruits), each seed has a long flat wing attached to it.](https://bio.libretexts.org/@api/deki/files/44828/1920px-Acer_tataricum_subsp._semenovii_samaras.jpg?revision=1&size=bestfit&width=530&height=530)
![Two dangling seeds, each with four flat sail-like wings attached](https://bio.libretexts.org/@api/deki/files/44829/Combretum_zeyheri_MS2011ZA425.jpg?revision=1&size=bestfit&width=576&height=385)
Water
![A lotus fruit. A cup-like structure with many seeds embedded within it.](https://bio.libretexts.org/@api/deki/files/44830/Lotus_jdp.jpg?revision=1&size=bestfit&width=446&height=405)
Video \(\PageIndex{2}\): Watch this clip to see more water-dispersed seeds and fruits. Sourced from YouTube.
Animal Attachment & Ingestion
![Several spiky, dry fruits about 2 cm long](https://bio.libretexts.org/@api/deki/files/44831/2560px-Xanthium_strumarium_MHNT.BOT.2004.0.213.jpg?revision=1&size=bestfit&width=665&height=431)
![a cluster of red fruits: aggregates of druplets known as raspberries](https://bio.libretexts.org/@api/deki/files/44832/Raspberries_(Rubus_Idaeus).jpg?revision=1&size=bestfit&height=410)
![A bright red chile pepper](https://bio.libretexts.org/@api/deki/files/44833/1024px-Habanero_closeup_edit2.jpg?revision=1&size=bestfit&width=245&height=412)