disseminule

plural disseminules

1. biologyA seed fruit that has been modified for migration.

   1 more example

   For ectozoic dispersal the disseminule is commonly adhesive by means of a sticky surface or, more often, by its possession of hooks or other devices by which it catches on to the fur etc. Anyone who has tried to extract the fruits of Burdocks (Arctium spp.) or Beggar-ticks (Bides spp.) from woolly garments will be aware of the effectiveness of such adhesion. Some examples of disseminules modified for dispersal by animals are shown in Fig. 27.

   1960, Nicholas Polunin, “Dispersal and Migration: Aids and Barriers”, in Introduction to Plant Geography and Some Related Sciences, New York, N.Y.; London: McGraw-Hill Book Company, →OCLC, page 112