Seeds of the giant Himalayan lily, Cardiocrinum giganteum. The picture shows mature dry seeds released from the capsule following its splitting. Each seed consists of a rounded triangular central region comprising the endosperm (yellow) with the embryo (small, darker tone) positioned at the sharpest apex, surrounded by a membraneous wing. Each seed is 12-15mm across and weighs approximately 5mg. The seed capsules develop on a stem up to 2.5m tall. Each produces many hundreds of seeds; their light weight and flattened structure ensures efficient wind dispersal away from the parent plant. C. giganteum is a spectacular hardy perennial garden plant which bears large trumpet-shaped lily-like flowers in midsummer. It is monocarpic; the plant dies after flowering, leaving offset bulbs in the ground to flower in subsequent years.