This unusual seed can be seen in a display case at the end of the section devoted to plants in the field ‘Earth Today’ exhibition.
The yellow structure, or aril, that covers this seed attracts birds, which eat and disperse it, making up for the plant’s lack of mobility. Schotia brachypetala is a species commonly called ‘parrot trees’ due to the large number of these birds that are attracted by their flowers and fruits.
This is a clear example of the resources used by plants to colonise new areas through different ways of dispersing their fruits. Make sure you find out more about this in the display case devoted to seeds.
