The Plant with Blooms and Fruits Underground花朵和果实都在地下的植物
作者: Darren Incorvaia 张宁
Some plants hide its flowers or fruits underground. But burying both is reallyrare. The scientists find a palm2 which is not only short, but also grows its flowersand fruit entirely underground. The locals know the palm. Some even dug it up toeat its buried fruit as a snack.
有些植物会将其花朵或果实藏在地下。但是将两者都藏在地下的真的很罕见。科学家们发现了一种棕榈,它不仅矮小,而且花朵和果实完全长在地下。当地人知道这种棕榈树。有些人甚至把它埋在地里的果实当做零食挖出来吃。
Many plants also depend on the wind and animals to plant their seeds. So howdoes a plant pull this off when its flowers and seeds are both underground?
许多植物还依靠风和动物来播种。那么,当植物的花朵和种子都在地下时,它是如何做到这一点的呢?
This palm may rely at least partially on self-pollination3. The scientists guessthat even underground, beetles may be able to move pollen4 between plants. Theresearchers also saw wild pigs digging up the palm’s fruits. They might help spreadthe palm’s seeds.
这种棕榈树可能至少部分依赖于自花授粉。科学家们猜测,即使在地下,甲虫也可能在植物之间传播花粉。研究人员还看到野猪在挖棕榈树的果实。它们可能有助于棕榈树种子的传播。
The scientists are now trying to find out how the palm may have evolved5 itsunderground lifestyle.
目前,科学家们正在尝试弄清楚这种棕榈树是如何进化出地下生活方式的。
(英语原文选自:snexplores.org)