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.
有些植物會(huì)將其花朵或果實(shí)藏在地下。但是將兩者都藏在地下的真的很罕見。科學(xué)家們發(fā)現(xiàn)了一種棕櫚,它不僅矮小,而且花朵和果實(shí)完全長(zhǎng)在地下。當(dāng)?shù)厝酥肋@種棕櫚樹。有些人甚至把它埋在地里的果實(shí)當(dāng)做零食挖出來吃。
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?
許多植物還依靠風(fēng)和動(dòng)物來播種。那么,當(dāng)植物的花朵和種子都在地下時(shí),它是如何做到這一點(diǎn)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.
這種棕櫚樹可能至少部分依賴于自花授粉。科學(xué)家們猜測(cè),即使在地下,甲蟲也可能在植物之間傳播花粉。研究人員還看到野豬在挖棕櫚樹的果實(shí)。它們可能有助于棕櫚樹種子的傳播。
The scientists are now trying to find out how the palm may have evolved5 itsunderground lifestyle.
目前,科學(xué)家們正在嘗試弄清楚這種棕櫚樹是如何進(jìn)化出地下生活方式的。
(英語原文選自:snexplores.org)