maple seed
Spinning tree pod
The winged seed of a maple tree, designed to spin as it falls and disperse on the wind.
The papery wing attached to each seed creates a helicopter-like rotation: Kids love tossing maple seeds in the air and watching them spiral down.
Also called a samara, helicopter, or whirlybird.
- samaraWinged botanical dispersal unit
- helicopterRotary-wing aircraft
- whirlybirdInformal term for helicopter
- spinningRevolving around an axis
- spinning downRotation gradually ceasing
twirling · falling · winged · propeller · flutter · drift · autumn · tree · pod · papery · wind · dispersal · spiraling · gliding · descent · sprout · nature walk · keys
- tree seedsacorn, acorns, beechnut, walnut, chestnut
- fruitsstrawberries, cherry, cherries, mango, peaches
- plant partsleaf, stem, root, leaves, flower
- wind-poweredwind turbine, windmill, sailboat, kite, sail
- seed vesselspod, fruit, capsule, samara, cone
- seed headsdandelion puff, milkweed pod, sunflower head, cattail, poppy pod