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Hura crepitans
You're unlikely to find one of these intact fruits of Hura crepitans.
This is because as they dry, they will break apart by "exploding" and sending component parts everywhere!
 
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This seed capsule was found washed ashore on the Treasure Coast of eastern Florida, Dec. 5, 2014
"Exploded" Pieces Typically, what is found in the beach drift is only a semi-circular piece of the original seed pod. The seed pod explodes, sending seeds and these semi-circular pieces of the pod in all directions. |
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 Left: A drifted piece (height = 31.8 mm) of Hura crepitans fruit, showing a seed within; collected by Sandy Kippner Miller. Above: Three images of the same, extracted seed (diameter = 18.4 mm; thickness 6.5 mm). |
Links
A Tree With Exploding Seed Pods - A "Wayne's Word" page.
The Sandbox Tree, Venezuela - A video
Sandbox tree disperses its seeds via explosive method - A video
Sandbox Tree - Encyclopaedia Brittanica
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