ADAPTATIONS FOJl DISPERSAL OF FRUIT & SEEDS 2J 5 



(c) Hairy fruits are not so common as hairy seeds but 

 examples are frequently met with. In the Compositae 

 this is the common adaptation for wind dispersal. At 

 the apex of the fruit a tuft of hair termed a " pappus " is 

 usually developed. (PI. II. fig. 8.) In Tarchonanthus 

 eanipJwratus and Erioceplialus tinihellatus both members 

 of the Co)iipositac the fruits are woolly. In the 

 Proteaceae hairy fruits are found in species of Aulax and 

 Protea. 



(d) A few fruits become much inflated when mature 

 and form suitable objects for being blown along the 

 ground by strong winds. As the fruit is blown about the 

 seeds escape through slits in the fruit wall. Such fruits 

 are found in i^iitJu'rlandia friitescens, many species of 

 Lesscrtia, Aitonia capcnsis, (PL II. fig. 7.) Melianthiis 

 major, etc. 



In the above examples we see that either the seed or 

 fruit is adapted in some way for wind distribution but 

 we also find cases in which other parts of the plant 

 become modified to serve the same end. For instance in 

 species of Poly gala the 2 side sej>als become enlarged and 

 serve as wings. In Domheya natalensis the petals are per- 

 sistent and remain on the plant in the fruiting stage, 

 while in species of Staticc (PI. II. fig. 3.) and Grielum 

 the enlarged calyx serves as an apparatus for carrying 

 away the fruit. The styles may also serve this end as 

 we find in Anemone capensis and Clematis hrachiata. In 

 many South African grasses the glumes are feathery and 

 serve as an apparatus for wind dispersal. The Silver 

 Tree (Lenea (lend rem argentcum) and L. plumosiim (PI. 

 II. fig. 13.) exhibit a very fascinating method for dis- 

 persal by the wind. The old perianth is persistent and 

 slips up the style but is prevented from falling off by the 

 swollen stigma, the whole arrangement forming a 

 perfect parachute arrangement. In a few cases 

 e.g. Brunsvigia viultiflora (AmarylUdaeeae) the whole of 

 the fruiting inflorescence, which is sometimes 2 ft. in dia- 



