Page 32 - Discover Fall 2022
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Weeder’s Digest CONTINUED
W eeder ’ s Digest CONTINUED
waters, thereby accomplishing Milkweed fruit, or seed pods,
effective seed dispersal. have a similar method of spreading.
these pods form after blooming, and
Animals are also popular agents
for seed movement. Grazing animals when mature, they dry out and split
and birds consume various fruits, open. Each seed is attached to a fluffy
and their seeds may then travel long parachute-type structure called floss,
distances before being excreted in allowing for long distance travel.
a new location well away from the Milkweed is indigenous to Mexico,
host plan. Fruit producing plants as is the Monarch butterfly. It is the
like raspberries, native persimmon, only host plant for the monarch, and
and paw paw are relished by many of as the ice age waned some 10,000
the types of animals that tend to be years ago, this spreading perennial
constantly on the move. Plant seeds naturalized ever farther north.
can also adhere to both birds and This spurred the monarch to follow,
animals by virtue of being sticky, or eventually resulting in the amazing
having hooks and barbs, enabling annual migration patterns of this
them to hitch a ride to a distant iconic butterfly. Maples produce a
location. seed pod called samara that have built
in wings for efficient wind dispersal,
Seed dispersal on the wind usually into our rain gutters.
would seem to be the most obvious
method. If we harken back to our Perhaps the most interesting
youth, surely we must recall picking approach to seed movement is when
dandelion seed pods and haplessly plants employ the ballistic method.
blowing and spreading the seeds. This is observed when the seed pods
Dandelions are considered by many of peas, violas, okra and euphorbias
to be vile weeds, which are carelessly build up internal pressure until they
spread all around the neighborhood. pop, streaming seeds in all directions.
Absent our help, dandelions have The seed pods of chinese witch hazel
a built in mode or windsail-like can shoot their seeds some thirty feet
structure that opens and closes in or more… safety glasses, please?
response to moisture. When it's You can reach Bob Siren by email:
dry and windy, the sail opens, thus GardenGab@wslk880.com
allowing the seed to catch a ride to its
new destination.
30 Discover Smith Mountain Lake FALL 2022
