Subject: Flying seeds: wanted

From: [email-masked] (J M V Rayner)
Date: Tue, 15 Aug 1995 16:02:30 GMT

As part of a study of their aerodynamics, I am trying to collect specimens
of some of the more unusual flying seeds. These are seeds with aerodynamic
surfaces which slow their descent and in some way improve dispersion.

Most of the interesting species are tropical and either are not grown in
Britain, or rarely set seed here. There is no difficulty finding the
obvious (conifers, Acer, ash, etc.), but I have had no success with the
following or any relatives:

Liriodendron chinense and tulipifera
Buckleya (Borya) distichophylla          Santalaceae
Firmiana                                 Sterculiaceae
Caconia trifoliatum    (?)
Cavanillesia                             Bombacaceae
Alsomitra (=Zanonia) macrocarpa          Cucurbitaceae

Taxonomy is from varied sources and may not be reliable. 

If anyone can collect seeds from trees in their collection I would much
appreciate a few samples of each. Otherwise, any pointers to the above
(e.g. to collections which have living specimens) would be very welcome.

Jeremy Rayner

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Professor Jeremy M. V. Rayner 
School of Biological Sciences
University of Bristol
Woodland Road
Bristol BS8 1UG   UK

tel. +44 117 928 8111, messages +44 117 928 7476, fax +44 117 925 7374

e-mail [email-masked]

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From: [email-masked] (Mark Hovenden)
Date: Thu, 17 Aug 1995 02:40:14 GMT

Why not get in contact with Kew gardens.  As Darwin (or was it Hooker or 
Huxley) said you can get anything to grow anywhere, just take a look at Kew 
gardens!

Mark Hovenden
Uni of Tasmania

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From: [email-masked] (James Morley)
Date: Thu, 17 Aug 1995 12:57:11 GMT

>Huxley) said you can get anything to grow anywhere, just take a look at Kew 

I have already responded to the posting and offered our assistance - we will have suitable material of most of the species, although it is unclear what Caconia trifoliatum is.  It is certainly *not * a valid plant name - anyone have any ideas?

James Morley

Centre for Economic Botany
Royal Botanic Gardens
Kew 
Richmond 
Surrey
UK
TW9 3AE
UK

[email-masked]
WWW - http://www.rbgkew.org.uk/ceb/