Seeds of the Giant Himalayan lily, Cardiocrinum giganteum. The picture shows mature seeds that have been shed from a dry capsule. Each is roughly triangular in shape, and consists of a central region, enclosed by a thin membraneous layer that extends beyond the living tissues and acts as a wing to aid dispersal of the seed by wind. The central region of the seed ( brownish yellow) comprises mainly endosperm, a food tissue, which serves to support the initial growth of the embryo. In the seed at the centre of the picture, the embryo as a small darker shadow near the apex on the left-hand side of the seed.C. giganteum seeds are shed from capsules that may be as much as 2-3m above ground level. Each seed weighs about 5mg. This, and the large area of the membraneous wing, ensures efficient wind dispersal of the seeds.