Scadoxus multiflorus seed

John Grimshaw j.grimshaw@virgin.net
Thu, 07 Sep 2006 00:20:05 PDT
Jim McKenney wrote:

The bright orange fruits are ornamental;
> has anyone ever seen a plant of any of the Scadoxus species where most of
> the flowers have set fruit? That must be a spectacular sight!

I have and they are.

What is puzzling to me is the question of seed dispersal in amaryllids with 
a fleshy berry and rather soft-skinned seed. Scadoxus, Haemanthus, Clivia 
have such fruits, turning from green to red when ripe, a characteristic of 
bird-dispersed fruits. The berries are also within the gape size of most of 
the 'usual suspects' of fruit-eating birds in Africa. But can the seeds 
withstand the action of the crop before either regurgitation or defecation? 
The distribution of Scadoxus multiflorus and S. puniceus over huge tracts of 
Africa demonstrate that dispersal is effective and potentially 
long-distance. The range of Clivia is probably restrained by the 
availability of suitable habitat. Does anyone know if there are studies on 
dispersal in wild Clivia?

Even more intriguing is the case of certain Crinum, especially the East 
African plains species C. kirkii, which develops a large red capsule 
containing the usual lumpy, greenish seeds. When ripe this object is very 
conspicuous and would be expected to be an attractant to dispersers. But a 
soft crinum seed would not last long in the gizzard of an ostrich or ground 
hornbill, which are obvious potential candidates. Perhaps the red coloration 
is unimportant in this case and the seeds just roll away in the usual Crinum 
way as the capsule opens. I do not know how big Crinum seeds in dry places 
move more than a few feet from their parent, but can conceive that a rodent 
or primate might pick them up and carry them a short way (those in damp 
habitats, including coastlines, obviously have flotation options).

John Grimshaw




Dr John M. Grimshaw
Garden Manager, Colesbourne Gardens

Sycamore Cottage
Colesbourne
Nr Cheltenham
Gloucestershire GL53 9NP

Website: http://www.colesbournegardens.org.uk/
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