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Primary function of awn in Poaceae
Hello everybody,
while contemplating on the dispersal types of a great number of plants (see my other posting) I stumbled over the question what primary function the awn of poaceae might have. It is often noted that it might assist in epizoochorous dispersal (attatching the seed to the fur of some animals) or with strong hygroscopic movements it might "crawl" on the ground or even drill itself into the soil. But are these the primary functions or just some nice side effects (kind of spandrels of San Marco)? Thanks a lot Judith |
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Primary function of awn in Poaceae
In some species, awns might serve as a feeding deterrent against large
herbivores which might munch up the fruit wholesale, preserving the fruit for smaller animals or insects which might carry away the fruits individually and drop or stash some. M. Reed Iris Cohen wrote: I stumbled over the question what primary function the awn of Poaceae might have. It is frequently used as a three letter word in crossword puzzles. Iris, Central NY, Zone 5a, Sunset Zone 40 "The trouble with people is not that they don't know but that they know so much that ain't so." Josh Billings (Henry Wheeler Shaw), 1818-1885 |
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Primary function of awn in Poaceae
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Primary function of awn in Poaceae
In article , ose (Sean Houtman) wrote:
From: Judith Baltsar Hello everybody, while contemplating on the dispersal types of a great number of plants (see my other posting) I stumbled over the question what primary function the awn of poaceae might have. It is often noted that it might assist in epizoochorous dispersal (attatching the seed to the fur of some animals) or with strong hygroscopic movements it might "crawl" on the ground or even drill itself into the soil. But are these the primary functions or just some nice side effects (kind of spandrels of San Marco)? I can verify that in the long awned species of Stipa, it is definitely used in drilling the seed into the soil. Since the awn is genuflected, it holds the caryopsis at an angle, and vibration from the wind pushes the seed into the soil, aided by the hairs on the callus. When the seed has been pushed in far enough, the awn breaks off and blows away. It is perfectly adapted for this function. Other grasses certainly use the awns in other ways, not all of them apparent. Yeah, lots of tropical grasses with awns use them to "plant themselves" too -- but it can also be a response to wetness (or just humidity?). When wetted, they twirl around until stopped by vegetation or debris or whatever, then the forces involved act to push the seed itself into the soil. Cheers, Phred. -- LID |
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