Scanning Electron Microscopic Observation of Epizoochorys Microstructures Resembling an origami crane on the Seed Surface of Desmodium paniculatum

Abstract

Desmodium paniculatum is a perennial Leguminosae plant that uses animal-attached seeds for dispersal. The key-shaped spines on D. paniculatum seeds are a recognized mechanism of attachment. However, in addition to these spines, we observed even finer attachment structures that were similarly shaped to origami cranes via scanning electron microscopy. The seeds of D. paniculatum are characterized by their attachment to clothing, adhering snugly similarly to a sticky seed. However, these seeds may be even more adhesive by using the large hooked spines as well as the mass of microscopic spines functioning as attachment organs