cleavage polyembryony

The splitting of an embryo into several identical parts each of which is capable of developing into a mature embryo. It is seen in some gymnosperms and is particularly common in Pinus, where the zygote divides to form four nuclei each of which divides to give a chain of cells or suspensor. At the tip of each suspensor is a group of embryo initials. Usually, however, only one embryo develops to maturity.