shedder
Active Member
Someone, besides me, asked about oak double sprouts on the old forum.
http://www.internationaloaksociety.org/content/acorns-size-matters—and-so-does-shape
For Acorns, Size Matters—and So Does Shape
In the case of large acorns, some weighing over35 g and found in species such as Q. crispulaBlume, Q. gambelii Nutt., Q. macrocarpaMichx., or Q. rotundifolia Lam., they originate as a consequence of the presence of polyembryonic or polyspermic fruit, in other words, acorns that contain more than one embryo and hence more than two cotyledons and more than one seed coat. These in turn result from the fertilization and posterior development of more than one of the four ovules contained in the female flower. This situation leads to large acorns and the emergence of more than one seedling from a single acorn. This type of acorn can be the consequence of the fertilization of more than one ovule (polyspermy), or of the duplication of an embryo once a single ovule has been fertilized (polyembryony). In the first case the embryos are genetically different (different ovules, different grains of pollen), while in the second case the embryos are genetically identical (same ovule, same pollen), though with a high probability of spontaneous mutation. In all these cases, acorn size has a genetic component.
A more complete description.
http://www.internationaloaksociety.org/content/acorns-size-matters—and-so-does-shape
For Acorns, Size Matters—and So Does Shape
In the case of large acorns, some weighing over35 g and found in species such as Q. crispulaBlume, Q. gambelii Nutt., Q. macrocarpaMichx., or Q. rotundifolia Lam., they originate as a consequence of the presence of polyembryonic or polyspermic fruit, in other words, acorns that contain more than one embryo and hence more than two cotyledons and more than one seed coat. These in turn result from the fertilization and posterior development of more than one of the four ovules contained in the female flower. This situation leads to large acorns and the emergence of more than one seedling from a single acorn. This type of acorn can be the consequence of the fertilization of more than one ovule (polyspermy), or of the duplication of an embryo once a single ovule has been fertilized (polyembryony). In the first case the embryos are genetically different (different ovules, different grains of pollen), while in the second case the embryos are genetically identical (same ovule, same pollen), though with a high probability of spontaneous mutation. In all these cases, acorn size has a genetic component.
A more complete description.
