May 20, 2025

These are seed pods and seeds of Wood Poppy. You might be able to see, if you look carefully, that each seed is wrapped with something that looks like a fuzzy white band. This is an elaiosome which is nutrient rich and attracts some ants.

These ants are participating, along with the plant, with seed dispersal in a process called myrmecochory. This is a symboitic relationship in which both the ants and the plants benefit.

The seeds of an amazing number of plants have an attachment called the elaisome which is rich with lipids and proteins. Ants know that their larvae will benefit greatly by being fed these elaisomes, which are brought to them in the nest. After the feeding, the remains of the seeds are placed in the “trash room” of the nest which is a perfect atmosphere for sprouting.

Some of the spring ephemerals that participate in myrmecochory are Trilliums, Bloodroot, Wild Ginger, and Dutchman’s Breeches, Trout Lily, Twin Leaf, Spring Beauty, and Wood Poppy.

Wood Poppy (Stylophorum diphyllum), native to eastern North America.

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