 Fruits are released in the summer , containing about 16 seeds on average . These seeds are most typically dispersed by ants , which is called myrmecochory , but yellow jackets ( Vespula vulgaris ) and harvestmen ( order Opiliones ) have both been observed dispersing the seeds at lower frequencies . Insect dispersal is aided by the presence of a conspicuous elaiosome , an oil @-@ rich body attached to the seed , which is high in both lipids and oleic acid . The oleic acid induces corpse @-@ carrying behavior in ants , causing them to bring the seeds to their nesting sites as if they were food . As ants visit several colonies of the plant , they bring genetically variable seeds back to a single location , which after germination results in a new population with relatively high genetic diversity . This has the ultimate effect of increasing biological fitness . 
