Fine & Dandy Flying

Scientists already knew these seeds use the wind as their “jet fuel,” but until recently they didn’t know how the seeds stayed afloat for so long. They discovered that the dandelion’s tiny white bristles use the air to create their own vortex—kind of like a tornado—which adds to their flight time.

To study this, scientists used a small wind tunnel (a long room where scientists can test the effects of wind) and high-speed video. To their surprise, as air moved through the fluffy tops of the dandelions, it formed a bubble overhead. The circle of white bristles acts like a tiny parachute—but four times better.

In the future, scientists hope to copy this design of dandelion parachutes in their inventions. Even the smallest parts of creation show us God’s attention to detail, including weeds (Matthew 6:28).

Did You Know . . .

Each dandelion seed has 90–110 bristles. With any more or any fewer, the seeds wouldn’t be able to fly so easily though the air.