Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

JainaOrgana t1_j9ikvp2 wrote

Reply to comment by draw2discard2 in TIL - That avocado seeds are so large because they depended on extinct megafauna to eat and disperse them. by byronhadleigh

Less likely to be digested?

More likely to propagate when dumped?

2

draw2discard2 t1_j9iqj4x wrote

Evidently plants that live in shady places tend to have larger seeds because after germination there needs to be enough energy for the seedling to grow leaves and be able to reach the light (or perhaps to have enough foliage to get enough light to continue growth). On the other hand there is also danger of predation because some animals (such as rodents) will eat larger seeds, which doesn't happen with tiny seeds (e.g. a dandelion).

4