What is the Difference Between Germination and Vivipary?

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Germination and vivipary are two different processes related to the growth of seeds into new plants. Here are the key differences between the two:

  • Germination: This is the emergence of a seedling from a seed under favorable conditions, such as warmth and moisture. The seedling then develops into a mature plant. Germination typically occurs externally from the dropped seeds.
  • Vivipary: This refers to the premature germination of a seed and the development of embryos within the fruit while it is still attached to the parent plant. In vivipary, seeds germinate inside the fruit and come out through the fruit wall. An example of a plant that undergoes vivipary is Rhizophora, which has a special mode of seed germination called vivipary.

In summary, germination is the usual process by which seeds develop into new plants, while vivipary is a less common process where seeds germinate inside the fruit before detaching from the parent plant.

Comparative Table: Germination vs Vivipary

Here is a table comparing the differences between germination and vivipary:

Feature Germination Vivipary
Process Emergence of a seedling from a seed under favorable conditions Premature germination of a seed and the development of embryos within the fruit while still attached to the parent plant
Location Usually occurs externally from the dropped seeds Seeds germinate inside the fruit and come out through the fruit wall
Timing Occurs after detachment from the parent plant Occurs while attached to the parent plant
Examples Seeds of most plants Seeds of some plants like tomatoes, peppers, pears, and citrus fruits

In summary, germination is the process of a seed developing into a new plant under favorable conditions, while vivipary is a process in which seeds germinate prematurely before detaching from the parent plant.