Diaspore weight, dispersal, growth form and perenniality of central Australian plants

Diaspore weight and dispersal were measured in 229 plant species of the central Australian arid zone. The frequency distribution of log diaspore sizes was unimodal. The quantity of reserve (embryo plus endosperm) stored in the seed was related to the weight of the dispersal unit. Reserve weight was greater for woody than for herbaceous species. Within each growth form, there was no clear relationship between perenniality and reserve weight. Most graminoids were wind dispersed, and elaiosomes for ant dispersal were more common among the woody species. The number of species with unassisted seeds was low in central Australia compared with other arid communities. -from Authors