Abstract
In floatation experiments it appeared that seeds of some chenopods as well as those of Plantago maritima, Limonium vulgare, Spergularia maritima and Rumex crispus * remained afloat some hours only. Seeds (grains) of most grasses and fruits of Suaeda maritima and Atriplex prostrata as well as achenes of Aster tripolium were kept afloat some days up to some weeks. Fruits of Halimione tripolium were kept afloat some days up to some weeks. Fruits of Halimione portulacoides, Atriplex littoralis, Triglochin maritima, Plantago maritima, Limonium vulgare and Rumex crispus, some grains of Spartina anglica, together with seeds (nuts) of Matricaria maritima and achenes of Sonchus arvensis are well adapted to long-lasting floating in sea water (some weeks up to several months). Long-lasting floating in sea water and even long-lasting submersion will not destroy the germination power of most species.
Two experiments with floating sunflower seeds (Helianthus annuus), performed under different weather conditions, showed that dispersal of floating seeds may take place in all directions and over considerable distances.
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© 1987 Dr. W. Junk Publishers, Dordrecht/Boston/Lancaster
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Koutstaal, B.P., Markusse, M.M., de Munck, W. (1987). Aspects of seed dispersal by tidal movements. In: Huiskes, A.H.L., Blom, C.W.P.M., Rozema, J. (eds) Vegetation between land and sea. Geobotany, vol 11. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-4065-9_18
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-4065-9_18
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