Wind Dispersed Seeds

 Wind Dispersed Seeds

As we walked on, the silvery barked Gyrocarpus trees stood out on the hill side. They are known colloquially as the helicopter trees, because of their wind dispersed seeds that travel through the air like mini helicopters, on their way to a suitable landing. We learnt how many of the seed dispersers time their seed maturation with the winds that arrive in August. It was fascinating to know that associations exist not only between different plant and animal species but also between biotic and the abiotic components of our environment. 

Dodonia viscosa, a plant that can act as an indicator of disturbed landscape, was flowering at the time of our visit and she too was preparing to make papery seeds in time to be dispersed by the wind when it arrives.