Dioscorea yam: species mimics fruit to attract seed-dispersing birds

Dioscorea melanophyma yam, reproducing exclusively through cloning without seed production, produces false fruits to deceive dispersing birds.

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The fact

This reproductive mimicry strategy compensates for the absence of sexual reproduction in this clonal species.

This coevolution mechanism illustrates complex adaptations developed by asexual plants to ensure their dispersal.

17 sources — click a link to read an article on the topic:

RFI

MIT Technology Review

Le Figaro

Grist

The Guardian Environment

Ars Technica

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#botanique #écologie végétale #stratégie reproductive

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Auto-synthesis from 17 media sources · identified on April 14, 2026

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