what is epigeal germination

Epigeal germination is a botanical term that refers to the germination of a plant above the ground/02%3A_Taxonomy_and_Seed_Germination/2.02%3A_Introduction_to_Seed_Germination). In this type of germination, the cotyledons (seed leaves) are pushed above the ground, while the hypocotyl elongates and the epicotyl remains the same length. Plants that exhibit epigeal germination require external nutrients quickly to develop, so they are more common in nutrient-rich soils and need relatively more sunlight for photosynthesis to take place. They also grow relatively fast, especially in the first phase when the leaflets unfold, and occur frequently in areas that experience regular flooding. Examples of plants that exhibit epigeal germination include the common bean and sunflowers. The opposite of epigeal germination is hypogeal germination, where the cotyledons remain underground and a shoot is sent up.