Blowing In The Wind: Seeds & Fruits Dispersed By Wind

Like an endless army of parachutists released from an airplane, seeds and fruits travel the wind currents and gentle breezes of the earth, possibly colonizing a distant mountain slope or fertile valley. Literally hundreds of species in many plant families have adopted this remarkable method of dispersal, including a variety of ubiquitous plants that we recognize as "weeds." The answer to why some weedy composites (such as the European dandelion) have worldwide distributions is truly "blowing in the wind" (to quote from the Peter, Paul and Mary song). Some of the ingenious adaptations for this method of wind dispersal include seeds that resemble parachutes, helicopters and gliders. In fact, one species (see opening photo) reportedly inspired the design of some early aircraft. An astronomer friend of Mr. Wolffia once observed a strange formation of flying objects through his telescope. He was focusing on a squadron of tiny parachute seeds high above his house. And the entire plant body of wolffa (the world's smallest flowering plant) may be transported by powerful cyclonic storms. In the southeastern United States there are records of wolffia plant bodies less than one millimeter long being carried by a tornado, and they have even been reported in the water of melted hailstones.
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