relbugman wrote:
Yup. Very similar to Geraniums, but differ in that the dry seeds are catapulted out as the filament in the 'bill' curves and dislodges the seed at the base; the action then breaks the attachment at the tip and the seed and filament flies off. On landing, the base of the filament twists in a tight spiral with the end sticking out at a right angle. Then, as it gets damper at night and drier in the day, it untwists a few turns, and retwists, corkscrewing the seed into the ground. The seed has tiny barbs on it that catch and reduce pulling back out. Let them dry and shoot the results, and do close-ups of the action. (There is a spent 'bill' in the center background.) Hold a dry seed in your hand and breathe slowly on it to watch the drilling action.
Geraniums (same family) are also interesting in that a similar catapult mechanism flips the free seen outward, but the catapult remaining on the dried flower, looking like a pagoda with dongles at the 5 corners - very pretty.
Yup. Very similar to Geraniums, but differ in tha... (
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I really appreciate the information, thanks! I have interest in a lot of insects and plants that appear, especially to photograph, but my background has not been in those areas so I'm always grateful to find out more from those who know something about them.