1. Germination:
* The Seed: Sunflower seeds contain a tiny embryo and stored food reserves.
* Water and Warmth: When planted in warm, moist soil, the seed absorbs water and begins to germinate.
* Root Development: The first part of the plant to emerge is the root, anchoring the plant and absorbing water and nutrients.
2. Early Growth:
* Shoot Emergence: The stem, called the hypocotyl, pushes upward, bringing the cotyledons (seed leaves) to the surface.
* Cotyledon Stage: The cotyledons provide nutrients to the young seedling until the first true leaves develop.
* True Leaf Stage: The first true leaves emerge and begin photosynthesis, producing food for the growing plant.
3. Rapid Growth and Stem Elongation:
* Sun Tracking: Sunflowers are known for their "heliotropism," meaning they turn their heads to follow the sun across the sky. This helps them maximize sunlight exposure for photosynthesis.
* Stem Growth: The sunflower stem rapidly elongates, reaching heights of several feet depending on the variety.
* Leaf Development: The plant continues to produce large, broad leaves to capture sunlight.
4. Bud Formation and Flowering:
* Bud Development: The sunflower's large, central bud begins to develop at the top of the stem.
* Flowering: The bud opens into a large, composite flower head consisting of hundreds of tiny florets.
* Ray Florets: These are the colorful petals surrounding the center of the flower. They attract pollinators.
* Disk Florets: These are the small, fertile florets in the center of the flower head. They produce seeds.
5. Pollination and Seed Development:
* Pollination: Bees and other insects carry pollen from the male parts of the flower (anthers) to the female parts (stigmas).
* Fertilization: The pollen fertilizes the ovules inside the disk florets, leading to seed development.
* Seed Maturation: The seeds within the flower head mature, turning brown and hardening.
6. Seed Dispersal and Dormancy:
* Seed Release: Once mature, the seeds are released from the flower head.
* Wind and Animals: Seeds are dispersed by wind and animals, spreading the sunflower population.
* Dormancy: Sunflower seeds can remain dormant in the soil until suitable conditions for germination occur.
Interesting Fact:
Sunflowers are classified as annual plants, meaning they complete their life cycle in one growing season.
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