Pronunciation: [vˈɪvɪpəɹi] (IPA) 
The word "vivipary" is spelled with five letters in total. It is pronounced /vɪˈvɪpəri/. The first two letters "vi" are pronounced as "vih" with a short "i" sound, followed by "vih" again for "vi" in the middle. The next two letters "pa" are pronounced as "puh" with a short "u" sound, followed by "ri" as "ree". The word refers to the reproductive process where an organism gives birth to live young instead of laying eggs.
Vivipary is a biological phenomenon that refers to the reproductive strategy observed in certain plant species, where the embryo or seed begins to develop and grow while still attached to the parent plant. It is considered a form of internal development, contrasting with the more common practice among plants of dispersing seeds externally.
During vivipary, the seeds germinate while still inside the parent plant and obtain nutrients directly from it, often utilizing a specialized structure known as the placenta or seed coat. This enables the embryo to establish a more favorable environment for growth, increasing its chances of survival.
Vivipary is most commonly observed in plants, such as some species of mangroves, where the parent plant is often submerged in water or in moist habitats. This reproductive mechanism allows the progeny to take root in the anoxic or submerged environment without being washed away or dispersed, which enhances their chances of successfully establishing themselves in such inhospitable conditions.
While vivipary is predominantly seen in plants, occasionally, it can also occur in certain animal species, like some aquatic invertebrates. In these cases, the embryos develop internally and are released as live young, bypassing the need for external fertilization.
Overall, vivipary is an intriguing reproductive strategy exhibited by various organisms, enabling them to adapt and thrive in specific environmental conditions and contributing to the diversity of life forms found in different ecosystems.
The word "vivipary" is derived from the Latin term "viviparus", which combines the words "vivus" (meaning "alive" or "living") and "parere" (meaning "to give birth"). "Viviparus" itself is a combination of "vivere" (meaning "to live") and "parere". Thus, "vivipary" refers to the reproductive process by which offspring develop inside the body of the parent and are born alive.
