maple key

Winged tree seed

A maple key is the winged seed of a maple tree, shaped like a single blade that spins as it falls, carrying the seed away from the parent tree.

Children often toss them in the air to watch them helicopter down.

Also called a samara, maple seed, or whirlybird.

Related

box elder · seed · fruit · pericarp · achene · drift · nutlet · Acer · autorotation · folk traditions · propeller · autumn leaves · falling leaf · seasonal change · nature walk · nature art · childhood play · twirling

Categories
Opposites
seed dispersal mechanism

maple keycoconut

Hard-shelled tropical drupe

acorn · walnut · chestnut · buckeye · horse chestnut

Family

maple, key, maples, keys, keyed, keying, keyless, keyhole

Familiarity
Top 500,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G