Cotton vs Kapok -- The Verdict!

Dear 5.9,

Thank you to Nicholas Khong, Si Yun, Lim Han, Shermaine and Max for participating in the online quiz!

For both the kapok and cotton plant, their main method of seed dispersal is wind.

Cotton: The dried fruit splits open to reveal light, fluffy hairs that are each attached to a seed. These masses of hairs are blown away easily by the wind, taking the seeds with them.

http://www.mhhe.com/biosci/pae/botany/botany_map/articles/article_30.html - Seed dispersal of cotton

Kapok: The dried fruit also splits open and the seeds of the kapok are embedded in a mass of light, fluffy, cottony fibre which is blown away easily by the wind, taking the seeds with them.

http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/kapok.htm - Seed dispersal of kapok

The flowers of the kapok plant are pollinated by fruit bats and they give off an unpleasant smell, but the seeds are not dispersed by fruit bats.

Congratulations to Shermaine and Max for getting the correct answers!

Regards,
Miss Lee :)