1. Mrs. Nell 6th Grade General Science Class
Seed Dispersal
Mrs. Nell
6th Grade General Science Class

2. Seed Dispersal
Seed dispersal is the method by which a plant scatters its offspring away from the parent plant.
Seeds need to be dispersed to have the best chance of growing into a new plant.

3. How are seeds dispersed?
Seeds are dispersed by water, wind, explosion, and animals.

4. Seed Dispersal by Water
Trees that are located near the water use it to spread their seeds. These seeds often have an outer layer that keeps the seed dry or they are hairy in order to trap air bubbles. The seed drops into the water and floats until the water pushes it onto the shore. Then the seed sprouts into a tree.
Water Lily

5. Seed Dispersal by Wind
Seeds are light & have wings or fluffy parachutes which can get caught in the wind.
Thistle

6. Seed Dispersal by Explosion
Seed pods dry out and split open in an explosive action. This throws the seeds away from the parent plant.
Geranium

7. Seed Dispersal by Animal
Sticky seeds cling to the fur of passing animals and then fall off. These seeds are commonly known as burs.
In some trees the seed is in the middle of a fruit. When an animal eats the fruit it cannot digest the seed and the seed is expelled when it goes to the bathroom.
Nuts are collected and hidden by animals like squirrels. Some of these are buried and forgotten about.

8. Your turn to decide… Animal Water Explosion Wind
Record your inference about how the following plants spread their seeds.
Animal
Water
Explosion
Wind

9. Grass Seed

10. Sunflower Seed

11. Pine Seed

12. Maple Seed

13. Apple Seed

14. Berry Seed

15. Acorn Seed

16. Dandelion Seed

17. Burdock bur

18. Coconut Seed

19. Bitter Cress Seed

20. The Answers Grass seed- Sunflower seed- Pine seed- Maple seed-
Apple seed-
Berry seed-
Acorn seed-
Dandelion seed-
Burdock bur-
Coconut seed-
Bitter Cress seed-
Wind!
Animal!
Explosion!
Water!

21. Germination
Once seeds have been dispersed they need to germinate or sprout. In order to germinate the seed needs just the right light, warmth, water, and soil conditions.