The bursts are sometimes triggered by an external factor, such as water, wind, or a touch, but the process most of the time occurs by itself when the seeds pods get very dry. The force that generates the so-called explosion results from the pressure that forms within the fruit cells when it dehydrates. While sometimes this can look like a light explosion and even be accompanied by a crackling sound, in other cases, you can only see the seeds being catapulted away from their pods.Įven though the term “ballistic” is used to describe this way of dispersing seeds, no explosive substance is involved in the process. This event differs from one plant species to another and is more thrilling and fun to watch in some plants.
This process is also known as explosive dehiscence. In this playful companion to the popular Tap the Magic Tree and Touch the Brightest Star, Christie Matheson once again masterfully shows the true interactivity of a page turn by following a tiny seed as it is planted, watered, and grows into a beautiful flower. However, the one that draws the most attention and that’s the most fun to watch is ballistic dispersal.īallistic seed dispersal (or ballochory) consists of the plant ejecting the seed(s) with a great force, similar to a small explosion. School Library Journal calls Plant the Tiny Seed a top ch. Some plants may even combine several of them. The seed leaf of a plant is the tiny leaf that forms inside the seed itself. Some of the seed dispersal methods are more efficient than others.
El Funcionario, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Honey Spurge (Euphorbia Mellifera) Honey Spurge ( Euphorbia Mellifera) is an evergreen shrub in the spurge family Euphorbiaceae. While some plants rely more on natural factors to spread their seeds, some species have built their own unique ways which ensure better reproduction. Once the seed pods mature and something disturbs them, these burst explosively, throwing the seeds far away from the mother plant. When it comes to the perpetuation of species, not only humans and animals have shown amazing skills, but also plants. Did you know that some plants have an “explosive” way to scatter their seeds? Here is a list of 10 explosive plants that use ballistic seed dispersal.
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