Shooting Mechanisms in Nature: A Systematic Review
Fig 15
Drying coiling catapult mechanism in Tetraberlinia moreliana.
(A) A fruiting pedicel with one mature seedpod, consisting of two valves (right) and one exploded seedpod (left). Drying of the valves causes tension in the connection between the valves and stalk of the fruiting pedicel, as the preferred dry shape of the valves is helical. (B) Dehiscence of the valves discharges the seeds. (C) Fully dried valve with seed. Drawings based on schematic drawings in [78]. Scale bar 10 cm.