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Don't Crush That Ant — it Could Plant a Wildflower

from Science, Aug. 14, 2020

Don't Crush That Ant — it Could Plant a Wildflower Science, Aug. 14, 2020 Trilliums, bloodroot, violets — many wildflowers of spring in eastern North America bloom thanks to ants. The tiny six-legged gardeners have partnered with those plants as well as about 11,000 others to disperse their seeds. But far from just transporting the seeds, the ants prefer some seeds over others and possibly keep their charges safe from disease by affecting the microbes living on the seed coat. The importance of this partnership is coming into focus as well. In disturbed forests, where ants can be scarce, seeds may not find their way to fertile ground, and ecosystems can suffer. The work calls attention to the need to consider these creatures in forest restoration efforts. READ MORE

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