Seed pod

April 20

We spend the afternoon in the backyard. My girls are involved in a complicated game of imaginary sharks and volcanoes. I am free to putter. I wander the perimeter of the yard observing the spring activities of our various shrubs and trees.

Each time a hint of breeze passes through the trees a shower of seed pods flutter to the ground. Like a single winged helicopter they twirl to the ground . I stop to take a closer look and see that these delicate wings are violet and pink. Tiny veins run up the edge of the wing and curve to one side. I hold one high and let it go. The seed pod begins to spin and the wing takes it away from me as it heads for the ground.

How does such an amazing design become so?