Definition

Noun: 1. A seed that moves erratically: The seed of certain Mexican shrubs (genus Sebastiana) that appears to jump or tumble due to the movement of a moth larva living inside it.

Usage and Examples

• The jumping seed fascinated the children as it skittered across the hot sidewalk.
• Under a microscope, you can see the tiny hole where the moth larva entered the jumping seed.
• A collection of jumping seeds in a dish creates constant, faint clicking sounds.

Advanced Usage and Notes

• The movement is not true jumping but rather sudden jerks or tumbles caused by the larva's spasmodic movements inside the seed capsule. It is a classic example of a biological phenomenon where an animal's behavior directly manipulates a plant structure.
• The term is a compound noun that functions as a single unit. The primary meaning is the specific seed with the insect larva inside.

Variants and Related Words

• Jumping bean: A more common synonym for jumping seed. Both terms refer to the same object.
• Mexican jumping bean: The full common name, specifying the geographic origin.

Synonyms

• Jumping bean
• Mexican jumping bean

Related Concepts and Context

• Botanical Context: The seed comes from shrubs of the genus (or in some classifications), primarily .
• Entomological Context: The larva inside is typically from a small moth of the genus (formerly ), specifically .

Noun

1. seed of Mexican shrubs of the genus Sebastiana containing the larva of a moth whose movements cause the bean to jerk or tumble