Mistletoe is a plant that lives on trees and gains nutrition from them (that is, it is a parasite). The fruit of the mistletoe is a one-seeded berry and is consumed by birds. In members of the mistletoe genus Viscum, the outside of the seed is sticky, which permits the seed to adhere to surfaces such as the branches of host plants or the beaks of birds. What should be expected of the fruit if the stickiness of Viscum seeds is primarily an adaptation for dispersal rather than an adaptation for infecting host plant tissues?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

If the stickiness of Viscum seeds is primarily an adaptation for dispersal, it would be beneficial for the seeds to be consumed by birds or other dispersing organisms. Therefore, making the fruit nutritious would encourage consumption and subsequent dispersal of the seeds.

Mistletoe Is a Plant That Lives on Trees and Gains