The seed of Erodium cicutarium (stork’s bill or filaree), once in contact with water, will bore or drill itself into the ground in order for the seed to sprout. Watch closely as the seed will reverse itself several times. Possibly to bury itself further in to the ground.
The seed launches from the plant with a spring mechanism as the fruit of the plant dries. Then changes in humidity cause it to unwind and bore into the ground as seen above.
Originally published by Cosmos as Time-lapse of seed drilling into the ground
Bill Condie
Bill Condie is a science journalist based in Adelaide, Australia.
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