Seed Dispersal

• Seed dispersal


  The methods used by plants to try to ensure their seeds are given the opportunity to grow
• Things plants compete for

  • Light
  • Space
  • Water
  • Nutrients
• Methods of seed dispersal

  • Wind (Flying and Gliding)
  • Animal (internally and externally)
  • Explosions
  • Water
• Wind seed dispersal - Flying and Gliding

  • The seeds have 'wings' which act as a parachute, twisting and turning to carry the seed away from its parents
  • The seeds are relatively heavy and therefore to be most effective, need to be released from a good height in windy conditions
• Wind seed dispersal - Flying and Gliding

  • Ash
  • Sycamore
• Wind seed dispersal


  • The seeds are very light and can be carried along way by the wind
  • They appear to have 'fluff' attached to them, this fluff is weightless and helps them to be picked up by the wind
• Wind seed dispersal


  • Dandelion
  • Bulrush
  • Willow-herb
• Animal seed dispersal - Internally

  • The seeds are always found in brightly coloured, sweet tasting fruit, to encourage animals to eat them
  • The seed is usually small and in a hard case for protection
  • Once the animal has eaten the fruit, the animal will move from place to place and the seed remains in the digestive system until the animal excretes and the seed is released
• Animal seed dispersal - Internally

  • Raspberries
  • Blackberries
  • Strawberry
• Animal seed dispersal - Externally

  • The seeds have hooks, spikes or may be even sticky
  • When an animal rubs past them, they stick to the fur and are transported to a different area, where eventually the seeds either fall off or are rubbed onto a different area
• Animal seed dispersal - Externally


  • Goosegrass (sticky weed)
  • Sea Holly
  • Burdock
• Explosion seed dispersal


  • The pods explode, dispersing the seeds
  • These seeds are dispersed in summer when one side of the pod dries quicker than the other causing it to buckle and split open, spraying the seeds everywhere
• Explosion seed dispersal


  • Pea pods
  • Campion
  • Gorse
• Water seed dispersal


  • The seeds are very light and will float
  • The seeds can often be transported by wind as well as water
• Water seed dispersal


  • Lily
  • Coconut
  • Foxglove