– Characteristics of Drift Seeds and Fruits:
– Adapted for long-distance dispersal by water
– Produced by tropical trees
– Found on distant beaches after drifting thousands of miles
– Helped species like the coconut colonize barren islands
– Studied by scientists interested in ocean currents
– Botanical Terminology:
– Drift fruit is a type of diaspore
– Drift seeds and fruits are disseminules
– Enthusiasts hold an annual International Sea-bean Symposium
– Symposium focuses on display, study, and information dissemination
– Started in 1996
– Examples of Drift Seeds and Fruits:
– Nickernuts in fruit capsule
– Seaheart seeds
– Box fruit found in Mnazi Bay, Tanzania
– Puzzle fruit found in Mnazi Bay
– Varied shapes and sizes
– References:
– Armstrong, Wayne P. Notes On The Ocean Dispersal of Coral Beans (PDF)
– Ackerman, J. New Eyes on the Oceans in National Geographic Magazine
– Information on the 28th Annual International Sea-Bean Symposium
– Seabean website as a resource
– Relevant articles and papers
– External Links:
– Quotations related to Drift seed at Wikiquote
– Tutorial on Polishing Sea Beans for Jewelry on YouTube
– Additional resources for drift seed enthusiasts
– Access to related videos and content
– Opportunities for further exploration and engagement
Drift seeds (also sea beans) and drift fruits are seeds and fruits adapted for long-distance dispersal by water. Most are produced by tropical trees, and they can be found on distant beaches after drifting thousands of miles through ocean currents. This method of propagation has helped many species of plant such as the coconut colonize and establish themselves on previously barren islands. Consequently, drift seeds and fruits are of interest to scientists who study these currents.
In botanical terminology, a drift fruit is a kind of diaspore, and drift seeds and fruits are disseminules.