Samara (fruit) facts for kids
A samara is a special kind of fruit that has a wing. Think of it like a tiny helicopter blade! This wing helps the seed inside fly far away from its parent tree when the wind blows. It's a clever way for plants to spread their seeds to new places.
How Samaras Fly
Samaras are designed to fly! They have different shapes that help them travel on the wind.
- Some samaras have their seed right in the middle of the wing. Trees like the elm and the hoptree have these.
- Other samaras have the seed on one side, with the wing stretching out from it. This design makes the samara spin like a tiny propeller as it falls, helping it float even further away from the tree.
This spinning motion is very efficient. It allows the samara to stay in the air longer. This gives the wind more time to carry the seed far away. This is important for the plant. It helps new trees grow in different areas.
Trees with Samaras
Many common trees produce samaras. You might have seen them falling from trees in your neighborhood!
- Maple trees are famous for their samaras. They often have two wings joined together, forming a "V" shape. When they fall, they spin like mini-helicopters.
- Elm trees also have samaras. Their wings are usually round or oval. The seed is in the center.
- The Ash tree produces samaras that are longer and narrower.
- The Hoptree has very round, flat samaras. They look a bit like potato chips!
Each type of tree has a slightly different samara shape. But they all work in the same way. They use the wind to spread their seeds. This helps the species survive and grow in new places.
Images for kids
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Unusual group of three samaras of sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus. Normally, they are in pairs.)
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The hoptree (Ptelea trifoliata)
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The Siberian elm (Ulmus pumila)
See also
In Spanish: Sámara (fruto) para niños
