SEEDS

Seeds are important in the rain forest because they are the baby trees. In a rain forest, when one tree dies, a bunch of smaller ones try to take its place. Without seeds, there wouldn't be any smaller trees.

Ladybug-Tree Seeds (Ormosia)
These seeds came from a tree called Ormosia, in the bean family. The tree grows to very tall heights in the tropical rainforest.

The seeds are brightly colored, but scientists don't know exactly why. Sometimes a bright color is to scare away animals that might eat it (remember the poison dart frog). However, the color red is also used to attract birds. The seeds might be red so that birds will come and carry them away from the trees.

In the Amazon rainforest, native people use Ormosia seeds in necklaces and other jewelry. The native, or indigenous, peoples use the necklaces in religious ceremonies but also trade them with tourists travelling down the Amazon.

---

Palm Seeds

These seeds are from a palm tree called Raphia. They look a little like pine cones, but are totally different. Under the scales they have a big hard seed.