Weedbusters - Activities, Information and ... - Weeds Australia

Weedbusters – Activities, Information and Curriculum LinksThe problem is blowingin the windAIM: To find out which weeds in yourarea produce wind dispersed seedsYou will need:• large book,• various weed seeds,• low power microscope or hand lenses/magnifying glasses,• measuring tape, and• vacuum cleaner.• Examine the seeds and see if they have anyfeatures that might enable them to glide(e.g. wings) or catch the air like a parachute(e.g. hairs).• Use a hard floor surface to make a row ofdifferent seeds. A book can be used to createan air current. Rotate a large book into avertical position with the spine resting onthe floor ready to flop down. Make sure thebook will not land on the seeds. Let thebook go so it makes a fast current of air.• Watch as the seeds move and come to rest.Measure the distance the seeds moved. Didany seeds stay aloft for more than a second?Which seeds went the furthest? Which seedsfloated the longest?• Use a vacuum cleaner to remove all the seedsfrom the floor.33www.gould.edu.auwww.weeds.org.au