News Plants

How dandelions rig the odds for catching upward gusts

Newfound microstructures help give a seed lift-off or the grip to wait for a better breeze

Newly analyzed microstructures help explain why under certain circumstances, it can be difficult to dislodge a dandelion’s fluffy seeds.

Jena Shields, Elijah James and Chris Roh

By Susan Milius

It’s surprisingly difficult — by puffing from any one direction — to send all of a dandelion’s delicate white seed tufts wafting away from their stem.