The environment experienced by a plant before and after reproduction can have a profound effect on the behaviour of the progeny after shedding. Maternal environmental effects on seeds are important for phenology and fitness in plants, especially for bet-hedging reproductive strategies. Maternal tissues that disperse with seeds are important for dormancy in many species, particularly those with coat-imposed dormancy and those that disperse in indehiscent fruits. Maternal nitrogen status, temperature and photoperiod modify maternal tissues and also influence the developing zygote. During seed development on the mother, the progeny may acquire environmental information directly, but there is also evidence for maternal–filial signalling and the epigenetic inheritance of environmental information through the germline.

植物在繁殖前后所经历的环境会对脱落后后代的行为产生深远的影响。母体环境对种子的影响对于植物的物候和适应性很重要，尤其是对于对冲繁殖策略。与种子一起散布的母体组织对于许多物种的休眠很重要，特别是那些被毛强加休眠的物种和那些分散在不开裂的果实中的物种。母体氮素状态、温度和光周期会改变母体组织，也会影响发育中的受精卵。在母体的种子发育过程中，后代可以直接获取环境信息，但也有证据表明母子信号传导和通过种系遗传环境信息。