I gave most of the seeds a haircut. I kept one shaggy for comparison purposes. Apparently, if you do not remove the fuzz and try to grow a seed, the fuzz creates an environment that encourages rotting bacteria.
Name: Anne Summerville, SC (Zone 8a) Only dead fish go with the flow!
I've often wondered about that too - what evolutional pressure would create the hairs .. the I carnea's are hairy too. I wonder if it's a deterrent for birds and other animals or perhaps the increased mass helps the seed move away from the parent plant location.
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Thanks, Ronnie and Anne. I learned from Ron Kushner the seed fluff catches the wind for dispersal. I agree about pondering evolutionary pressure for the traits.