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Seed- This writeup is about biological seeds; for the Buddhist metaphor, see bija.
A seed is the ripened ovule of gymnosperm or angiosperm plants. The importance of the seed relative to more primitive forms of reproduction and dispersal is attested to by the success of these two groups of plants in dominating the landscape.
Seed structure
A seed contains the embryo from which a new plant will grow under proper conditions. It also contains a supply of stored food and is wrapped in a seed coat. The stored food begins as a tissue called endosperm derived from the parent plant. Endosperm becomes rich in oil or starch, and protein. In some species, the embryo is imbedded in the endosperm, which the seedling will use upon germination. In others, the endosperm is absorbed by the embryo as the latter grows within the developing seed, and the cotyledons of the embryo become filled with this stored food. At maturity, seeds of these species have no endosperm. Some common plant seeds that lack an endosperm are bean, pea, oak, walnut, squash, sunflower, and radish. Plant seeds with an endosperm include all coniferss and most monocotyledons (e.g. grasses and palms), and also e.g. brazil nut, castor bean.
The seed coat develops from tissues (called integument) originally surrounding the ovule. The seed coat in the mature seed can be a paper thin layer (for example, peanut) or something more substantial.
The seeds of angiosperms are contained in a hard or fleshy (or with layers of both) structure called a fruit. Gymnosperm seeds begin their development "naked" on the bracts of cones, although the seeds do become covered by the cone scales as they develop. An example of a hard fruit layer surrounding the actual seed is that of the so-called stone fruits (such as the peach).
Seed functions
Unlike animals, plants are limited in their ability to seek out favorable conditions for life and growth. Consequently, plants have evolved many ways to disperse and spread the population through their seeds (see also vegetative reproduction). A seed must somehow "arrive" at a location and be there at a time favorable for germination and growth. Those properties or attributes that promote the movement of the next generation away from the parent plant may involve the fruit more so than the seeds themselves. The function of a seed typically is one of serving as a delaying mechanism: a way for the new generation to suspend its growth and allow time for dispersal to occur or to survive harsh, unfavorable conditions of cold or dryness or both. In many if not most cases each plant species achieves success in finding ideal locations for placement of its seeds through the basic approach of producing numerous seeds. This is certainly the approach used by plants, such as ferns, that disperse by spores. However, seeds involve a considerably greater investment in energy and resources than do spores, and the payoff must come in achieving similar or greater success with fewer dispersal units.
See also
External links
A Seed in Final Fantasy VIII is a mercenary working for a Garden.
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Lawn seed.com
Offers lawn seed for specific needs along with wildflowers.
http://www.lawnseed.com/
Angelgrove Tree Seed Company
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Nicky's Nursery
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Rare, exotic and unusual seeds from around the world.
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International and heirloom vegetable and culinary herb seeds for the kitchen gardener.
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ANi Direct
Extensive selection of seeds including bonsai, trees, vegetables, herbs, ornamentals and cacti.
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Terra Viva Organics
Organic vegetable, herb & flower seed plus free organic gardening advice.
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J.W. Jung Seed Company
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Dowdeswell's Delphiniums
Cultivation information, photographs and the opportunity to buy seed for English hybrid type delphinums.
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The Tobacco Seed Company
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Rex's Seed Company
Exotic and unusual plant seeds from around the world.
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GreenDealer
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Spring Creek Seeds, Inc
Yield Testing for the seed industry since 1981
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Silver Falls Seed Company
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The Great Chilli Farm
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Wildflower World
Wildflower seeds and mixtures shipped world wide.
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Cindy's Exotic Tropical Seeds
Grow exotic and beautiful plant varieties from seeds.
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Lonnies Bulk Seeds
A good selection of flower seeds, and low-cost packages containing 500 seeds.
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Seed for alpine plants from around the world, with a particular emphasis on the Rocky Mountains and high plains of the Western US. Sells both cultivated seed and seed collected in the wild. Seed list includes provenance.
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Special Plants Nursery
English seller of unusual seeds for annuals, biennials and perennials, both hardy and tender.
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Florabunda Seeds
Canadian sellers of wildflower, cottage garden, heirloom and unusual varieties of flowering plants.
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Seeds Express
Providers of common and exotic seeds in the United States, with a searchable product database. Company profile and contact information provided.
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Eden Organic Nursery Services, Inc.
Seeds and supplies for the home gardener. A wide selection of seeds for medicinal plants, tobaccos, tropicals, vines, and hot peppers.
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Main Street Seed And Supply, Co.
Vegetable seeds and garden seeds.
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Seeds and some plants for medicinal and culinary herbs and other plants. Also sell some flowers and vegetables.
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Native wildflower seed for Midwest and Northeast US.
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Seed for prairie grasses and other plants native to the NW United States. Also offers consultation services, custom seed mixes, contract growing.
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Seed packets, bookmarks, and gifts based on the plants mentioned in Shakespeare's plays.
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Christie Farms
Provides information on Big Trefoil (Lotus) and offers seed for purchase.
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Theatrum Botanicum.
Rare and strange plants, many interesting uses noted. For the esoteric gardener who likes a touch of the unusual.
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Katz Kuntry Kuttins
Has a variety of seeds and starter plants available.
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Nothing-but-seeds
Seeds for palms, Bonsai, cacti, tropicals, trees, vines, sunflowers, peppers, cycads and tomato. Online catalogue, mail order and secure server
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Hobbs and Hopkins Ltd.
Suppliers of lawn grass seed as well as mixes of grasses and wildflowers for shade, sun and wetlands.
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Seedman.com
Offers a collection of seeds from around the world.
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Offers a mixture of wildflowers that have proven themselves to be survivors and multiply each year. Long blooming season, brilliant colors.
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Mailordergarden.com
Italian vegetables, fruit and flowers in large quantity packages.
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MAS seed specialists
Wildflower seed, bulbs & plug plants. Amenity lawn seed & special agricultural mixtures.
http://www.meadowmania.co.uk
Chiltern Seeds
British company with a wide-ranging selection of horticultural seeds of all types.
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Gourds Galore
Offers gourd seeds and growing tips.
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Green-Seeds Co.
Vietnamese seed company, offering vegetable and flower seeds, some oriental varieties, many F1 hybrids.
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The Palm Seed Center
Online supplier of palm seeds and bareroots palm seedlings in small, retail and wholesale quantities with a choice of online payment methods.
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Bjorn Malkmus Rare Seed Nursery
Seeds of rare flowering plants, alpines, aroids, bulbs, hardy palms, perennials, Canary Islands endemics, tropical fruits and container plants, succulents and xerophytes
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Barnhaven Primroses
Primulas, Auriculas, Polyanthus, and Sieboldii seeds from primrose specialists near St Sebastien in France. Gold-laced and other rare types.
http://www.barnhavenprimroses.com
The Cooks Garden
Offers vegetable and culinary herb seeds, and plants of perennial vegetables.
http://www.cooksgarden.com/
GrowingPride
Sellers of tobacco seeds of the TN86 cultivar.
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Pure Air Native Seed
Missouri seller of seed for grasses and flowers native to the North American prairie.
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Nativeflora.com
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Seed mix intended to attract whitetail deer.
http://www.whitetaildeerfoodplot.com
Sand Mountain Herbs
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J.L. Hudson, Seedsman
Offers a wide selection of rare and uncommon seeds of all types, ornamentals, herbs, heirloom and O.P.vegetables, no Patented varieties.
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PlantSeeds.com
Seeds, plants, garden supplies, yard decor. Everything for your landscaping needs.
http://www.PlantSeeds.com
Grass Seed Direct
Lawn grass seed for golf courses, and parklands. Offers to acquire and select the best available grasses and blend them to the customers requirements.
http://www.grassseed.co.uk/
Outsidepride.com, Inc.
Online store for seeds of turf, pasture and ornamental grasses, flowers, herbs, vegetables, plus other outdoor products such as: spreaders, bird feeders, and putting green mowers.
http://www.outsidepride.com/
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http://www.redbudfarms.com
Wildseed Farms
Wildflower seed direct from working wildflower seed farm. Purchase wildflower seed in large quanities or small packets, free wildflower reference guide and seed catalog.
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All Go Wild
Irish wild flower sales. Features seed mixtures, plants databases, news, advice, and photographs.
http://www.allgowild.com/
Earthly Goods
Purveyors of wildflower, herb and grass seeds and wildflower seed mixes. Customers can purchase seeds on-line or by mail. Free catalog available. Web site contains numerous photos, planting instructions and plant descriptions.
http://www.earthlygoods.com/
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Offers wildflower and prairie grass seeds from the Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana region.
http://www.seedsource.com/
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http://www.hardyplants.com/catalog/c-index.html
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Seed for agricultural and landscape uses -- native grasses, wildflowers, lawn and pasture grasses, cover crops. Also commercial, organic and soluble fertilizers.
http://www.leballistersseed.com
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http://www.bertonseeds.com
Cactusstore.com
Offers seeds from desert plants-- cacti, succulents, trees, shrubs and flowers.
http://www.getnet.net/~richarde/cactusstore/Seeds.htm
OpiumPoppySeeds.com
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http://www.opiumpoppyseeds.com/srch/
GrowFromSeed
A selection of small quantities of vegetable and flower seeds, also growing supplies.
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Seed2grow
Provides a range of agricultural, amenity, lawn, wildflower, conservation and game cover seed.
http://www.seed2grow.co.uk
B & T World Seeds
An extensive seed catalogue, specialising in rare and exotic seeds, bulbs, and plants.
http://www.b-and-t-world-seeds.com/
Buck Busters Seed Company
Fall and winter forage mix for deer, turkey, and other wildlife.
http://www.buckbusters.biz/
Nature Store
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Sells seed of British wildflower mixtures for meadows or gardens.
http://www.gardeningwild.com
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http://www.giantwatermelons.com
Peters Seed and Research
Source for unique open-pollinated seeds of non-hybrid vegetables and grain crops. Located in Myrtle Creek, Oregon.
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Seeds4Marijuana
Seeds from the worlds best breeders. Sativa/Indica seeds, including 100% feminized. Free worldwide delivery.
http://www.seeds-marijuana.com
Prairie Moon Nursery
Suppliers of native plants and seeds for prairie restoration, natural landscaping, and wildflower gardens.
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Free Pepper Seeds
Free pepper seeds given away by a chile fanatic, so you can grow your own.
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Texas Bluebonnet Seed Co
Offering Texas bluebonnets,poppies, and clover seeds.
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Sunmark Seeds
Native Grasses Information, specifications and sales for landscapes architects, gardeners gardening, hydroseeders on wildflowers, native grasses, turf restoration, erosion control, forage, marsh, wetlands, prairie, grasslands, and speciality seeds.
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Willhite Seed
Offers garden vegetable seeds.
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Harvest Moon Farms and Seed Company
Suppliers of heirloom, certified organic, and gourmet vegetable seeds, mushroom spawn, and supplies.
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Offering a 3-step kit to grow cotton from seed.
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Freeseed
Suppliers of garden seeds of all kinds at low prices, due to very basic packaging. You pay for seed, not for elaborate packets.
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Seeds, seedlings and bulbs of rare and unusual trees, herbs, flowers, vegetables, and house plants.
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