Seed dispersal means moving seeds away from the parent plant to new places. If all seeds fell straight down, the young plants would grow too close together and fight for water, sunlight and space. Spreading out gives each seed a better chance to grow.
Ways seeds travel
- Wind: light seeds with wings or hairs are blown far away.
- Water: seeds that float, like coconuts, are carried by rivers and the sea.
- Animals: sweet fruits are eaten and the seeds come out in droppings; some fruits have hooks that stick to fur.
- Explosion: some pods dry, split open and shoot their seeds out.
Example
A dandelion seed has soft hairs like a tiny parachute, so the wind carries it far from the parent plant.
Why dispersal helps
Dispersal helps a plant species spread to new areas and reduces crowding. This gives more seeds the chance to grow into healthy plants. It also helps plants reach places with fresh soil and enough sunlight. When plants grow far apart, a disease or a hungry animal is less likely to harm all of them at once.
Remember
- Seeds spread by wind, water, animals or explosion.
- The shape of a seed shows how it travels.