Researchers from the University of Colorado-Boulder have found
evidence that suggests some plants are altruistic or unselfish
or selfless too. UC-Boulder researchers examined corn, in which
each fertilized seed contained an embryo and a matching piece of
tissue known as endosperm that nourishes the embryo as the seed
grows. They compared the growth and behavior of the embryos and
endosperm in seeds with the same mother and father with the
growth and behavior of embryos and endosperm that had
genetically different parents.. The researchers say: “The
results indicated embryos with the same mother and father as the
endosperm in their seed weighed significantly more than embryos
with the same mother but a different father..” “We found that
endosperm that does not share the same father as the embryo does
not hand over as much food — it appears to be acting less
cooperatively.” “Altruism only evolves if the benefactor is a
close relative of the beneficiary. When the endosperm gives all
of its food to the embryo and