If you’ve ever blown on a dandelion and become frustrated or curious about why some of the spores stubbornly stay put then you need wonder no longer.
In a discovery that reshapes our understanding of plant seed dispersal, researchers at UNSW Canberra have partnered with colleagues at Cornell University in the US to uncover the most effective way for the seeds of dandelions to be detached; and the key is an upward-moving air current.
The research, published in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface, revealed the basic structural mechanics of how dandelions release and retain their seeds, opening new research pathways to understand plant evolution and seed dispersal in other plants that use wind to disperse their seeds, such as lettuce and cotton.
Associate Professor Sridhar Ravi from UNSW Canberra was part of the research team and said the findings lay the foundation for new and exciting research.
“This research not only helps us understand how plants colonise new areas, but it also has implications for bio-inspired engineering,” Dr Ravi said.
“By studying how dandelions use minimal energy to achieve long-distance and widespread dispersal, we can inspire the design of things like more efficient passive flight systems for environmental monitoring.”
The research also reveals that dandelion seeds exploit a unique aerodynamic structure that allows them to ride incredibly gentle updrafts.
The team used advanced wind tunnel experiments and mathematical modelling to simulate the conditions under which seeds lift off and stay airborne.
“Dandelion seeds are nature’s paraglider and the most effective way to get their seeds to detach and fly away is with an air current that is moving upwards,” Dr Ravi said.
“Their bristly parachute-like structure allows them to remain aloft in a low-speed upward air flow.”
The findings are particularly relevant to Australia’s diverse ecosystems, where wind plays a crucial role in plant propagation across arid and semi-arid regions.
Beyond its ecological and engineering applications, the study opens new avenues for agricultural science.
“Understanding the physics of seed dispersal can help us improve how crop seeds are distributed, especially in large-scale farming,” Dr Ravi said.
“It could lead to more efficient planting techniques that reduce waste and increase yield.”
As climate change alters wind patterns and vegetation zones across Australia, understanding the mechanics of seed dispersal becomes increasingly vital for conservation, agriculture, and land management strategies.
Joining Dr Ravi as co-authors of the study were Assistant Professor Chris Roh, Yukun Sun, and Aspen Shih from Cornell University and Fiorella Ramirez-Esquivel from UNSW Canberra.
The research was supported by the National Science Foundation, the Cornell Institute for Digital Agriculture, the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, the Office of Naval Research and the Asian Office of Aerospace Research and Development.
