Reproduction and Growth
Attalea species are monoecious—male and female flowers are separate, but are borne by the same plant. Various species have been described as being insect pollinated, including A. phalerata, while pollination in A. colenda and A. speciosa, has been attributed both to insects and wind.
Seed germination is remote tubular—during germination, as the cotyledon expands it pushes the young shoot away from the seed. After germination, the stem initially grows downward before turning to grow upward and produce the aboveground stem. This produces a "saxophone shaped" belowground portion of the stem. The fact that the shoot tips of Attalea seedlings are underground it likely to contribute to their fire-tolerance.
Read more about this topic: Attalea (palm)
Famous quotes containing the words reproduction and/or growth:
“The atmosphere parents wish to create when talking with children about birth and reproduction is warm, honest, and reassuring, one that tells children they are free to ask questions as often as they need to, and you will answer them as lovingly as you know how.”
—Joanna Cole (20th century)
“There are enough fagots and waste wood of all kinds in the forests of most of our towns to support many fires, but which at present warm none, and, some think, hinder the growth of the young wood.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)