wing

In botany, a "wing" refers to a specialized structure that aids in seed dispersal, primarily by wind. These winged structures are often part of the fruit itself, or they can be modified accessory parts of the flower, such as bracts.

A common example of a winged fruit is the samara, found in trees like maple, ash, and elm. The samara's unique shape allows it to spin like a propeller as it falls, enabling it to travel further from the parent tree. Other winged fruits, like those of rhubarb and dock species, may rotate due to multiple wings. Some plants, such as linden trees, develop wings from bracts.

Other wind-dispersed structures can include plumes, hairs, or even entire plants that break off and tumble, scattering seeds as they go. This method of dispersal, known as anemochory, is particularly common in pioneer vegetation and can be quite effective over long distances, especially during storms.12