Aril

Aril refers to a swelling on the end of some Iris seeds that is thought to be food for ants. Ants carry the seeds off and when they eat the aril in a crack or at their nest it is theoretically in a good place to germinate and grow.

Aril can also refer to Irises that exhibit this trait, primary the section Oncocyclus but also section Regelia, Psammiris, Pseudoregelia and Hexapogon

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-- BobPries - 2013-10-20

• It would be great if someone could add a picture of a seed with its aril. -- WikiGuest - 24 Apr 2024