Mrs. Nell 6th Grade General Science Class Seed Dispersal Mrs. Nell 6th Grade General Science Class

Seed Dispersal Seed dispersal is the method by which a plant scatters its offspring away from the parent plant. Seeds need to be dispersed to have the best chance of growing into a new plant.

How are seeds dispersed? Seeds are dispersed by water, wind, explosion, and animals.

Seed Dispersal by Water Trees that are located near the water use it to spread their seeds. These seeds often have an outer layer that keeps the seed dry or they are hairy in order to trap air bubbles. The seed drops into the water and floats until the water pushes it onto the shore. Then the seed sprouts into a tree. Water Lily

Seed Dispersal by Wind Seeds are light & have wings or fluffy parachutes which can get caught in the wind. Thistle

Seed Dispersal by Explosion Seed pods dry out and split open in an explosive action. This throws the seeds away from the parent plant. Geranium

Seed Dispersal by Animal Sticky seeds cling to the fur of passing animals and then fall off. These seeds are commonly known as burs. In some trees the seed is in the middle of a fruit. When an animal eats the fruit it cannot digest the seed and the seed is expelled when it goes to the bathroom. Nuts are collected and hidden by animals like squirrels. Some of these are buried and forgotten about.

Your turn to decide… Animal Water Explosion Wind Record your inference about how the following plants spread their seeds. Animal Water Explosion Wind

Grass Seed

Sunflower Seed

Pine Seed

Maple Seed

Apple Seed

Berry Seed

Acorn Seed

Dandelion Seed

Burdock bur

Coconut Seed

Bitter Cress Seed

The Answers Grass seed- Sunflower seed- Pine seed- Maple seed- Apple seed- Berry seed- Acorn seed- Dandelion seed- Burdock bur- Coconut seed- Bitter Cress seed- Wind! Animal! Explosion! Water!

Germination Once seeds have been dispersed they need to germinate or sprout. In order to germinate the seed needs just the right light, warmth, water, and soil conditions.