elaiosomes

Noun

elaiosome (plural elaiosomes)

1. A fleshy structure rich in lipids attached to the seeds of many plant species, usually to attract ants that disperse the seeds.
   • Ants collect the diaspores for the edible elaiosome, carry them to their nests and consume the elaiosomes. Sometimes, the elaiosome content is sucked from the diaspores, or the elaiosome is loosened on the way to the nest.1999, Karen van Rheede van Oudtshoorn, Margaretha W. van Rooyen, Dispersal Biology of Desert Plants, Springer, page 17