What do cleome seeds look like?

Cleome seeds are small, round, and brown in color. After the flowers of the cleome plant have faded and dried up, they form seed pods. These seed pods are long and slender, resembling small tubes or capsules. As the seed pods mature, they eventually dry out and turn brown. This indicates that the seeds inside are ready for dispersal.

When the seed pods of the cleome plant are fully dry, they pop open to release the seeds. The pods split open, revealing numerous small brown seeds inside. These seeds are typically round in shape and have a smooth texture. They may vary in size, but they are generally quite small.

It is worth noting that cleome plants have a tendency to self-seed readily. This means that once the seeds are released from the pods, they may fall to the ground and germinate on their own. This natural self-seeding process allows cleome plants to spread and establish new growth in the surrounding area.

However, it’s important to mention that when growing cleome from seeds, the resulting plants may not always resemble the parent plant or cultivar. This is because cleome plants can cross-pollinate with other nearby cleome varieties or even related species. As a result, the progeny of these plants may exhibit different characteristics, such as different flower colors or growth habits.

Over time, if the self-seeding process continues, the cleome population may undergo genetic changes. After several generations, the plants may all end up with a similar pale pink color, regardless of the original flower color of the parent plants.

In my own gardening experiences, I have observed the seed pods of cleome plants drying out and splitting open to release the seeds. It is always a fascinating sight to see the tiny brown seeds being dispersed into the garden. I have also witnessed the self-seeding nature of cleome, as new seedlings often emerge in unexpected areas of my garden.

To summarize, cleome seeds are small, round, and brown. They are contained within long, slender seed pods that dry out and split open when mature. Cleome plants have a tendency to self-seed readily, allowing for the natural dispersal and germination of the seeds. However, the resulting plants may not always resemble the parent plant, as cross-pollination can lead to genetic variations in subsequent generations.

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Caroline Bates

Caroline is a Miami-based landscaper who specializes in drought-tolerant landscapes. She is the mother of two young children and also enjoys writing for GreenPacks.org in her spare time. Caroline takes great pride in her work, and loves being able to share her knowledge with others through her writing.