barochory

Barochory is a mode of seed dispersal in plants in which seeds or fruits are dispersed primarily by gravity. After detachment from the parent plant, the seed simply falls to the ground and may land near the source, or, on slopes, roll downhill. Barochory is a passive form of dispersal and contrasts with methods that actively move seeds away, such as wind (anemochory), water (hydrochory), or animal-mediated dispersal (zoochory).

The effective range of barochory is typically short, with seeds often remaining within a few meters of the parent plant, though terrain and slope can extend dispersal distance through rolling. Heavy fruits, large seeds, or attached pods commonly pull themselves to the ground rather than becoming airborne. Barochory can influence local seedling establishment, population structure, and species distributions, especially in stable habitats or closed-canopy environments where active dispersal is limited.

Seed shadows created by gravity interact with microhabitat factors such as soil moisture, texture, and light availability to determine where seedlings establish. In ecology and biogeography, barochory is often considered alongside other dispersal modes, because many species employ multiple strategies or their seeds may experience secondary movement after landing. Examples of barochorous species include various trees and herbaceous plants that produce heavy seeds or fruits that detach and fall. Understanding barochory clarifies patterns of plant persistence, succession, and local colonization where dispersal by other means is restricted.