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Re[2]: Gel surrounding seeds.

     The only time I have seen Lasimorpha in the wild (in Liberia), it was 
     fruting while growing in a few feet of water. Maybe the gel has 
     something to do with protecting the seeds as they pass through birds' 
     guts - perhaps its an emetic. It occurs in Cyrtosperma (bird 
     dispersed, probably), but also in Lasia (L. spinosa probably not 
     bird-dispersed - the fruits are green and more or less leathery). Who 
     knows......
     
     Alistair Hay


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Re: Gel surrounding seeds.
Author:  <aroid-l@mobot.org> at mailgate
Date:    8/17/98 6:21 PM


Julius and All again,
     
I have another thought on the gel function.  I noticed that when 
Lysichiton becomes ripe, the ground around the plant is not exactly wet, 
in fact it is dry at the surface. My impression was that the gel might be 
a prolonger of moisture around the seeds allowing them time to germinate 
and extend a root past the dry condition at the surface. Does this sound 
at all reasonable?  The infructescenciii which fell to the ground, turned 
into a pile of slimy mush and stayed wet for quite awhile.  I'd be 
curious to know if the conditions around Lasimorpha are similar when they 
drop their fruit.
Just speculating, 
Sue Z.
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