fruit mass. The coconutseed is enclosed in a lightweightporousshell called
a"husk."
Naturehas shaped seeds and given them specialstructuressothatthey
can be carried away from theparentplantto places where each can develop
into a new plant.
If seeds were to fall too close to theparentplant,they would be crowded
outby theparentand would not get enoughnourishmentor space in which
to grow.
Seeds with double or single wings arecarriedby the wind and"sail"on
aircurrentsuntil they fall or are blown to theground.
The dainty light, feathery parachute of the dandelionand the tufts of
milkweed and thistle are moved or wafted by slightly moving air. Eventually,
ofcourse, they land on the ground.
The hooks on"beggar'stick"and burdockcatchontothe fur or hides
ofanimals. They findearthin which to grow when they arebrushedoff or fall.
As you know, the seedsoffleshy fruits aredistributed afteranimals or
humanseat the fruit, discarding the seeds.
Thecoconutpalmdropsits ripe seeds on the beach. Whent~tide comes
in, they are picked up by ocean waves and depositedsomewhere else on the
beach.