ABOVE: Mezzettia macrocrpa seed naturally split in half to show the distinctive interior of multiple rigid ribs which protect the endosperm from seed predators common to all four species of Mezzettia tree seeds found in Borneo.
Mezzettia seeds are occasionally found in river drift in Borneo but not on beaches. Probably they are “recalcitrant seeds” and once in the river germinate fairly rapidly.
Mezzettia macrocarpa is believed to have evolved for elephant dispersal as the intact fruits are too large for rhino to swallow whole.
