BOTANY

Detailed explanation-1: -Dandelions have small seeds surrounded by hair-like feathery structures. This makes the seed lightweight. Due to its lightweight, it can be easily dispersed by wind. These seeds are carried away from the parent plant by wind to far places for germination.

Detailed explanation-2: -Each dandelion seed is tethered by a thin tube to around 100 bristles, which form the parachute-like structure. When seeds break free from the flower head, these bundles of hairs catch the wind and carry their seeds. This hairy parachute closes when the air is humid, which often means the wind is weak.

Detailed explanation-3: -Each seed is attached to a characteristic fuzzy structure called a ‘pappus’ that allows the seed to be carried by the wind. Dandelion leaves, flower, and seed head with pappus.

Detailed explanation-4: -Dandelions grow from seeds and do not spread asexually from stolons or runner; they have a single tap root. However, they can and do reproduce asexually by seed. They are capable of producing viable seed without need of cross-fertilization, a process known as “apomixis".

Detailed explanation-5: -Wind dispersal Have you ever blown on a dandelion head and watched the seeds float away? This is wind dispersal. Seeds from plants like dandelions, swan plants and cottonwood trees are light and have feathery bristles and can be carried long distances by the wind.