Dormancy creating such a seed bank allows dispersal of seeds in timeas
well as in space. The seed bank of a species with potentially long-lived seeds can
consist of the seeds from many different generations of the plant and, when
favorable germination conditions arise, these generations will mix. This mixing
will prevent any short-term genetic change from occurring.
A seed bank can be retained on the plant itself in a few places, particularly
where fire is a regular feature of the community. Some conifers and plants of
Australian savannahs, such as some Eucalyptustrees and other genera, retain
dormant seeds in dry cones or fruits on the plant. They can remain there for
decades until a fire breaks the dormancy and they germinate.192 Section L – Reproductive ecology