The winged fruit of the maple tree is called a samara, but I always called them helicopters. Did you ever watch them flutter down in a spiral motion?
The maple seed is at the end of this papery wing. These particular samaras are from a Japanese maple and are very small, under an inch (2.54 cm) long. Those small maple trees are planted along my street.
The third photo shows a larger variety of maple. They can get very big.
Sharing with City Daily Photo and Skywatch.
I did watch them spin down. Haven't thought about them in years. Thanks for the fun memories!!
ReplyDelete...they help some maples become invasive.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know maples have that!
ReplyDeleteWorth a Thousand Words
Interesting.
ReplyDeleteYes, I’ve seen them! It’s mesmerizing how they spin like tiny helicopters as they fall. Japanese maple samaras are so delicate and beautiful—what a lovely addition to your street!
ReplyDeleteGood post.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me that somewhere along the way I must have encountered the term, samara, but if I did I have forgotten it, so thanks for this. I will try to remember it for future reference. I too have referred to them as helicopters.
ReplyDeleteHere in Australia we call them helicopters too!
ReplyDeleteWe see lots of those helicopters here too, love the sky and tree in the last photo. Have a great day and a happy weekend.
ReplyDeleteYes, I remember seeing them as a child and being awed by their flutters - and there are lots all over under our maples here. We have some fat squirrels who just love eating the seed parts of them.
ReplyDeletesoon my yard will be full of helicopters. i love watching them twirl to the ground but don't enjoy cleaning them up!! beautiful images and such pretty blue skies!!
ReplyDeleteThey've always been helicopters to me, too! We have 3 trees in our yard that produce the big ones. I'd like to see the smaller ones!
ReplyDeleteHappy May.
ReplyDeleteNice to see the helicopters.
All the best Jan
We don't have too many maples here in Tulsa. Strangely I remember the helicopter seeds from when I was in Utah. I'm trying to figure out why they would have maples there.
ReplyDeleteI love maple trees but have never examined the fruit. Very cool.
ReplyDeleteI learned something today. I didn't know that "helicopters" were called samara. I always stood in awe of them landing on earth from the blue, blue skies. Brought joy into a 20 year old's heart when I saw them.
ReplyDelete