The document discusses seed structure and dispersal. It explains that seeds have a seed coat, embryo, and cotyledon. Seeds can be dispersed in several ways including by wind, water, explosively, or with animal assistance through being eaten or carried. Common examples provided include dandelion seeds dispersing by wind, burrs sticking to animal fur to be carried, coconuts floating in water, acorns being eaten and dispersed by animals, milkweed seeds having fluffy ends to catch the wind, and bird droppings containing seeds that were eaten and dispersed.

1. Seed structure & Seed
Dispersal
How do seeds “get around”?

2. Seed structure
• Seed coat : is the hard cover that
protects the seed.
• Embryo : beginning of the new off
spring
• Cotyledon : stored food supply.

3. How is it helpful for seeds to be
carried to a new place?
(Think of as many reasons as you
can.)

4. There are several ways that seeds
can “travel” to a new spot.
• Wind
• Water
• Explosively( drop)
• Animal help
–Eaten.
–Carried.

5. Number 1-15 on a piece of
paper. For each of the following
pictures of seeds/fruits, describe
how the seed is most likely
dispersed
(wind, water, gravity,
explosively, or animal - eaten or
hitchhiking).
For some, you might put two or
more possibilities.

6. Number 1. Pretty yellow
dandelions turn into these white
puffballs of seeds. How do these
seeds travel?

7. Number 2. How about these? They are
called burs (short for burdock).

8. • Number 3. Coconuts are the largest
seed known. How do THEY travel?

9. • Number 4. On Martha’s Vineyard there
are many oak trees. How do you think
their seeds (acorns) get dispersed?

10. Number 5. Look closely at these green
seed pods. Can you see the seeds in
the picture? How do these seeds get
dispersed?

11. Number 6. After hiking in the woods,
don’t be surprised to find these “stick
tights” sticking to your clothes.

12. Number 7. Some seeds are hidden in
sweet berries! How does this help the
seed get dispersed?

13. Number 8. Do you recognize this
milkweed? How do these seeds get
dispersed?

14. Number 9. Here are several seeds that
all use the same dispersal technique.
What is that technique?

15. Number 11. It might not be pleasant to do, but
if you look closely at these bird droppings, you
might notice an interesting ingredient!

16. Number 14. All of these seeds have one
thing in common - how they are
dispersed!

17. Number 15. This seed is over 12 inches
long! How could it possibly be
dispersed?