Maple seeds' unique spinning motion allows them to travel far even in the rain, a new study shows
When wind or other disturbances detach winged maple seeds called samaras from their parent tree, they spin through the air—and can even spin when it's raining. Impacts by high-speed raindrops only briefly interrupt the seed's spinning because the seed can shed the drop rapidly and restart its spinning in less time than it takes to blink.
When wind or other disturbances detach winged maple seeds called samaras from their parent tree, they spin through the air—and can even spin when it's raining. Impacts by high-speed raindrops only briefly interrupt the seed's spinning because the seed can shed the drop rapidly and restart its spinning in less time than it takes to blink.
