Seed Dispersal Giving students a sense of how seeds are dispersed will help them learn to avoid spreading weed seeds when they are outside. Plant seeds are dispersed in a variety of ways. For example, among invasive weed seeds, The invasive leafy spurge seed pods build up pressure and explode, shooting seeds 15 feet away. They then bounce or roll. Small rodents and birds eat knapweed and Canada thistle seeds, helping to disperse them away from the parent plant.
Dandelion seeds fly or float through the air.
So do Canada and musk thistle. The invasive dyers woad and hoary cress seeds float on water. Have students gather a variety of seeds. Examine the seeds with the students and discuss their natural dispersal methods. Have students describe how humans influence seed dispersal, both intentionally and unintentionally.