Fruits of Heritiera is dispersed by water as it has

Options

A. Spongy thalamus
B. Air cavity
C. Fibrous mesocarp
D. Spongy pericarp

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Identify the Plant:** The question refers to the fruits of the plant Heritiera, which is known to be a mangrove species found in coastal regions.

2. **Understand the Dispersal Mechanism:** The question asks how the fruits of Heritiera are dispersed. In this case, we are looking for a feature that allows the fruit to float on water, which is essential for water dispersal.

3. **Examine the Options:**
- **Spongy Thalamus:** This structure would likely absorb water, making the fruit heavier and less likely to float. Therefore, this option is not suitable.
- **Air Cavity:** The presence of a hollow air cavity within the fruit would make it lighter and allow it to float on water, facilitating dispersal. This is a strong candidate for the correct answer.
- **Fibrous Mesocarp:** While this structure may be present, it does not significantly contribute to the buoyancy required for water dispersal.
- **Spongy Pericarp:** Similar to the fibrous mesocarp, this structure does not provide the necessary buoyancy for the fruit to float.

4. **Conclusion:** Based on the analysis, the correct answer is the presence of an **air cavity** within the fruit of Heritiera, which enables it to float on water and be dispersed effectively.

**Final Answer:** The fruits of Heritiera are dispersed by water as it has an **air cavity**.

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