Knowra Wind dispersal Wind dispersal Wind dispersal is the movement of seeds or fruits away from a parent plant by air currents. It helps plants reach new sites and reduces competition near the parent.
Anemochory : The dispersal of organisms or their propagules by wind. Wind dispersal is the plant-specific form of this broader dispersal mode.
Seed : A plant embryo enclosed with stored nutrients and a protective coat. Many wind-dispersed propagules are seeds, though fruits can travel with them.
Primary succession : Ecological community development on newly exposed surfaces lacking developed soil. Wind-borne seeds can be among the first propagules to reach bare substrates.
Dandelion : A flowering plant in the genus Taraxacum, known for its wind-dispersed fruits. Its parachute-like pappus is a classic adaptation for airborne dispersal.
Samara : A dry, winged fruit that rotates or glides as it falls. Its wing slows descent and can carry a seed away from the parent.
Fruit : The mature ovary of a flowering plant, often enclosing seeds. A fruit's wings, hairs, or other structures can shape its movement in air.
Plant migration : A shift in a plant species' geographic range over time. Long-distance wind dispersal can help populations track changing climates.
Maple : A tree or shrub in the genus Acer, whose fruits commonly have paired wings. Maple samaras spin during descent, extending their time in the air.
Pappus : A hairlike or bristly structure on a seed or fruit, often derived from a flower's calyx. Dandelion pappi increase drag and help propagules remain airborne.
Propagule : A biological unit capable of dispersing and producing a new organism. Wind carries propagules, including seeds and fruits, rather than plants themselves.
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