Seeds cannot walk, but many of them travel far! Some fly, some float, some hitch a ride, and some get popped out of a pod.
Key idea
Seeds travel by wind, water, animals, or by popping out of a pod.
Why it works
Under a big plant it is shady and crowded. A seed that lands far away has more room, light and water to grow. The shape of a seed is a clue to how it travels: fluff and wings for wind, hooks for fur, tasty fruit for hungry animals.
Worked example: Let's think it through
A burr sticks to a dog's fur on a walk. What happens to the seed inside?
- The burr has tiny hooks that grab fur.
- The dog carries it along.
- Later it falls off, far from its parent plant.
Answer: It may grow into a new plant in a new place.
Common mistake
Many children think every seed just drops to the ground under its parent. Some do, but most plants have a way to send their seeds farther, where a new plant has room.
For the grown-up. After a walk in a field, check socks and pant legs for burrs and stick-tights. Those are seeds on a ride. In fall, look for spinning maple seeds and blowing dandelion fluff.