On Nov 11, 9:36 am, "Beverly J. Brown" <
bbro...@...> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> A teacher ed colleague was doing a project on fruit with students. When they cut the pumpkins open they noticed that seeds were already germinating. They are wondering what might cause this and how common it is for seeds to germinate inside fruit.
>
> Ideas? Resources I can point them to?
>
> Thanks in advance for your help.
>
> Beverly
>
> --
> Beverly J. Brown, Ph.D.
> Associate Professor
> Biology Department, Smyth 244L
> Nazareth College of Rochester
> 4245 East Avenue
> Rochester, New York 14618
> 585-389-2555 (phone)
>
bbro...@...
Seeds that germinate inside the fruit are termed viviparous seeds. A
google search on viviparous seeds will provide additional info.
Vivipary is important for seeds that cannot stand drying. Mangroves
are a classic example of viviparous seeds.
Viviparous seeds are also considered a mutation in species where it is
unusual, such as corn.
Fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) has viviparous seeds according
to page 525 of the book Vegetables G. J. H. Grubben.
http://books.google.com/books?id=6jrlyOPfr24C&pg=PT525&dq=viviparous+seed+pumpkin#v=onepage&q=viviparous%20seed%20pumpkin&f=falseDavid R. Hershey
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