Like Jim McK, I also began to wonder if the terms epigeal and hypogeal (germination) were developed by people who worked with corn and beans -- seeds that are intentionally planted below the surface of the soil. I know I was familiar with these terms before I knew much about lily seeds. I decided to remove the growing medium from the definition, and here is what I come up with. epigeal germination - cotyledon(s) frees itself from the seed coat and is usually capable of photsynthesis. hypogeal germination - cotyledon(s) remains within the seed coat and may or may not be capable of photosynthesis Just some more food for thought. (And now, why am I hungry for succotash?) Eugene Zielinski Augusta, GA US