DIY Homeschooler

Seed-Travellers is a great title for learning about the dispersion methods of seeds. Written by Clarence M. Weed and published in 1899, this illustrated book shows the various methods of plant dispersal.

There are few subjects better adapted to awakening the faculties of observation to a sense of the significance of those things in the living world with which we come in daily contact than that of the dispersal of seeds. Away from the crowded streets of cities one can scarcely step out of doors without witnessing some phase of plant dispersal, while a little intelligent attention to the commonest objects along the roadside will reveal numberless interesting facts.

Subtitled Studies of the Natural Methods of the Dispersal of Various Common Seeds the book is broken down into three major divisions:

• Wind.
• Birds.
• Spines or hooks.

Within each division, the common seeds that use that method are explained and illustrated.

The book is written such that the student of nature will find it most helpful in the fall and winter seasons.

Seed-Travellers is a perfect addition to the plant section of our free nature studies: Our Wonderful World.

One who is interested in the fascinating peculiarities of common objects is often pained by the sneering estimate put upon them by less observant people. No one is prepared to study nature so long as he regards any phenomenon, however slight in itself, as trivial and unworthy his regard. He must not attempt to play the critic with nature. He must assume the attitude, of a patient learner, who accepts all things as worthy his study and consideration.

Talks Afield About Plants by Prof. L. H. Bailey (as quoted in the book)

Free eBook

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Suggestions

• Narrate and explain why seeds need to disperse.
• Grab a nature journal and take a seed walk.
• Make a note of the plant from which the seeds are dispersed.
• In what environment do we frequently find this plant? How does the environment affect the dispersion of seeds?
• Note the method by which they are dispersed.
• What type of seeds are normally dispersed by wind?
• How are seeds with hooks normally dispersed?
• Explain the role of birds in seed dispersal.

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Additional Resources

Free Nature Studies: How Seeds Find New Homes (Dispersal)
You will find many helpful resources here.

How Seeds Get Here and There
Four helpful experiments from the Missouri Botanical Garden.