cross-posted from: https://aussie.zone/post/563488
Here's some pics of "cryptogeal" germination in a Bunya Pine seed.
The seed sits on top of soil and sends down a tube that forms a lower tuber that is protected from predation and waits for conditions to suit (though sometimes they do whatever they want). Someone growing a Bunya Pine in a nursery would do it in 2 stages, the initial germination with the seed sitting on a media, then digging up the tubers before they start growing and resetting them higher in individual pots.
This tuber, like the seed, is also edible.
Further reading about Bunya Pines in general and how it relates to First Nations' people:
https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-412554926/view
Some further reading on cryptogeal germination:
