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Agavaceae:

Agave

 

Amaryllidaceae:

Vallota

 

Cactaceae:

Zygocactus

 

Iridaceae:

Anomatheca

Crocus

 

Liliaceae:

Tulipa

 

Ranunculaceae:

Eranthis

 

 

 

 

Dehiscence, eversion

Dehiscence is the bursting open of a structure such as a fruit, pod or anther upon ripening. In the case of an anther it is often accompanied by eversion; i.e. the anther turning inside out in order to expose the pollen to the wind and/or insects.  Though not universal, dehiscence of anthers is very common.  Their morphology determines the extent to which they evert: those that develop as back-to-back pairs tend to show only a partial eversion (examples) whereas those that develop singly may often completely re-curve so that the original outer surface is hidden inside the everted structure (example).

In the case of a pod, seed capsule or other ripe fruiting body, dehiscence is a mechanism for seed release and dispersal (example). In some species it can happen quite violently, scattering seeds over moderate distances without the help of animals, birds or the wind.

 

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