Bradyspory is the gradual release of seed from a
cone
A cone is a three-dimensional geometric shape that tapers smoothly from a flat base (frequently, though not necessarily, circular) to a point called the apex or vertex.
A cone is formed by a set of line segments, half-lines, or lines con ...
or
fruit
In botany, a fruit is the seed-bearing structure in flowering plants that is formed from the ovary after flowering.
Fruits are the means by which flowering plants (also known as angiosperms) disseminate their seeds. Edible fruits in particu ...
over a long period of time, as opposed to
tachyspory
Tachyspory is a form of dehiscence where seed is rapidly released from a cone or fruit upon maturity, as opposed to bradyspory, the slow release of seed over time. It is a word used in botany
Botany, also called , plant biology or phytolo ...
, the more-or-less immediate release of seed as soon as they have matured.
Bradyspory may occur because seed release is spontaneous but very gradual, or because seed release does not occur until triggered to do so by some environmental event. The latter case is termed
serotiny
Serotiny in botany simply means 'following' or 'later'.
In the case of serotinous flowers, it means flowers which grow following the growth of leaves, or even more simply, flowering later in the season than is customary with allied species. Havi ...
.
Plant physiology
{{botany-stub