Uncovering the mechanical secrets of the squirting cucumber.

ABSTRACT: Rapid movement is rare in the plant kingdom, but a prerequisite for ballistic seed dispersal. A particularly dramatic example of rapid motion in plants is the squirting cucumber (Ecballium elaterium) which launches its seeds explosively via a high-pressure jet. Despite intriguing scientists for centuries, the exact mechanism of seed dispersal and its effect on subsequent generations remain poorly understood. Here, through a combination of experimentation, high-speed videography, quantitative image analysis, and mathematical modeling, we develop a full mechanical description of the process. We quantify the turgor pressure driving ballistic ejection, and uncover key mechanical interactions between the fruit and stem both prior to and during seed ejection, including the unique feature

SUBMITTER: Box F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11648854 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature