Propagation with wind

Posted by researchfacility on September 4, 2010 · 6 Comments 

To some, the existence of wind is nothing discernible, is always around but always taken for granted. But to some, wind plays some of the key roles in reproduction. There are some plants that reproduce by the dispersal of seeds through wind, which will be shown categorized under terms like, Gliders, Parachutes, Helicopters and Flutterer/ Spinners for better understanding. (note that these terms are also words that are highly associated with wind)

“One of the important functions of seeds and fruits is dispersal; a mechanism to establish the embryo-bearing seeds in a suitable place away from their parental plants.”

GLIDERS

Glider

Seed of a Shorea

Gliders include seeds with 2 lateral wings that resemble the wings of an airplane. They become airborne when released from their fruit and sail through the air like a true glider. This seed reportedly inspired the wing design of some early aircraft, gliders and kites.

Parachutes

Parachute

Dandelion

Prachutes include seeds with an elevated, umbrella-like crown of intricately-branched hairs at the top, often produced in puff-like clusters. The slightest gust of wind catches the elaborate crown of plumose hairs, raising and propelling the seed into the air like a parachute.

Helicopters

Helicopters

Seed of a Vine Maple - Sumara

Helicopters include seeds or one-seeded fruits (samaras) with a rigid or membranous wing at one end. The wing typically has a slight pitch (like a propeller or fan blade), causing the seed to spin as it falls.

Flutterer/ Spinners

Fluttering butterfly

Seed of a Jacaranda

Flutterer/ spinner, although their mode of dispersal is similar to single-winged helicopter seeds, they include seeds with a papery wing around the entire seed or at each end. When released from their seed capsules they flutter or spin through the air. Whether they spin or merely flutter depends on the size, shape and pitch of the wings, and the wind velocity.

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Not only that the propagation with wind can also be portrayed as something poetic.

“I was a dandelion puff…Some saw the beauty in me and stooped quietly to admire my innocence. Others saw the potential of what I could do for them, so they uprooted me, seeking to shape me around their needs. They blew at my head, scattering my hair from the roots, changing me to suit them. Yet still others saw me as something that was unworthy and needed to be erased.”

-a short poem by author – Nicole Bailey-Williams

Some of such propagation can also be interpreted into something metaphorical, like… Releasing/letting go of negative emotion; The flight to ___ ; Rebirth; the unpredictable journey and etc. (Just some examples, hopefully that can serve as inspirations~ :D)

reported by Kiera

Filed under Milan 2011 · Tagged with nature, Useless Machines, wind