Life cycles and delay of seed dispersal in some geophytes inhabiting the Negev Desert highlands of Israel

In the Negev Desert highlands the majority of seeds that mature are collected during summer, mainly by ants. However, a delay in seed dispersal has been observed in at least 10 species of geophytes inhabiting the Negev Desert. These species can be divided into three groups according to their life cycle, time of flowering, seed maturation as well as seed dispersal (synaptospermy). At least some of their seeds are retained in the dry inflorescences until October or even January. These seeds are not collected by ants, which is a great advantage for the survival of the species.