Unveiling the Explosive Seed Launch of Squirting Cucumbers
Researchers have uncovered the dynamics behind the squirting cucumber's explosive seed dispersal, the fastest known in the plant kingdom. The plant, native to the Mediterranean, uses a high-pressure jet of slime to eject seeds up to 12 meters away, minimizing competition and aiding species spread. The study, involving high-speed filming and mathematical modeling, reveals that the fruit's rotation and pressurized fluid redistribution are key to its unique dispersal mechanism.