14 Plants and their Ways in South Africa 



" April Fool " seeds {HcBtnanthus) may not wait to be 

 planted. The juicy berries within which they grow supply 

 moisture, and when the right time comes they germinate of 

 themselves. As growth begins the root is pushed out by the 

 cotyledon, the tip of which, remaining in the seed, absorbs 

 the stored food until the root is old enough to reach the soil 

 and do its work. After a few days the plumule thrusts up 

 its head through a slit in the base of the cotyledon. Does 

 the tip of the cotyledon come above the soil ? 



While studying the germination of April Fool seeds, com- 

 pare them with germinating seeds of onion and date. The 



Fig. 



-Litlle "April Fool " plants 

 (^H aevtanthus) 



Fig. 22. — Growing 

 seed of Apotio- 

 geton (" Water 

 Uintjes ")• 



latter germinate very slowly. Plant them early in the year. 

 A place may be left in the notebook for them. 



Watch for acorns that have been left on the ground for 

 several weeks after falling. Notice how the plant splits the 

 hard shell, and how the root pushes down and anchors the 

 seed. 



Plant other seeds that are about your home. The Silver 

 Tree has large seeds which germinate readily. Aruni " lily " 

 seeds may be compared with those of Hsemanthus. Apono- 

 geton seeds may be found soon after flowering. Notice how 

 little the radicle develops. A stem soon appears at one side 

 of the cotyledon which bears roots below and leaves above. 



Kafir corn may be germinated with Indian corn. In 



