plantseed

Plant seeds are the reproductive units of seed plants. In gymnosperms and angiosperms, a seed develops from a fertilized ovule and consists of an embryo, a stored food supply, and a protective seed coat. The embryo is a young sporophyte with rudimentary organs. The stored food is typically endosperm in angiosperms or may be contained in cotyledons; in many seeds the endosperm is absorbed during maturity and only the nutritive tissue in the cotyledons remains. The seed coat, derived from the ovule’s integuments, protects the embryo and helps regulate water uptake during germination.

Seed development begins with fertilization and ends with desiccation and maturation. In flowering plants, double fertilization yields both a diploid embryo and a triploid endosperm. After maturation, seeds may enter dormancy, allowing survival until environmental conditions are suitable for germination.

Dispersal transports seeds away from the parent plant and can occur by wind, water, animals, or mechanical means. Dispersal reduces competition with the parent and enables colonization of new habitats.

Germination is the resumption of growth when moisture, oxygen, and appropriate temperature are available. Dormancy can be physiological or physical and may require environmental cues such as cold stratification or scarification to be broken.

Storage and conservation: orthodox seeds can be dried and stored at low temperatures for extended periods, while recalcitrant seeds are sensitive to drying and cold storage. Seed vigor and viability decline over time. Seeds are central to agriculture and horticulture, enabling propagation with uniformity and known genetics. Seed banks preserve plant diversity and serve as genetic resources for breeding and restoration.