Judging from this picture (http://www.flickr.com/photos/giddygirlie/85362065/in/set-1822544/), it appears that the "secret message" is burned through the seed coat and into a cotyledon. Several people have dug up non-germinating seeds and saw their "secret message" on the outside of the seed itself.
Neat gimmick. Regards, Christopher T. Ruhland, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Biology TS-242 Trafton Sciences Center South Department of Biological Sciences Minnesota State University Mankato, MN 56001 USA phone: 507 389-1323 fax: 507 389-2788 email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] -----Original Message----- From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Michael Sitvarin Sent: Wednesday, June 14, 2006 12:32 AM To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Subject: Magic Sproutz? There is a product on the market called "Magic Sproutz", a bean of some sort that "magically" reveals a message upon germination. Has anyone else heard of these things? If so, can someone identify the plant? I've been growing one for a few weeks, and I've noticed a number of ants hanging out on the plant. I'm wondering if the plant is providing food for the ants in exchange for defense, as in other species. The company's website is simply: http:// 64.182.49.11/ though it is lacking in any scientific information. Any help would be much appreciated.
