ScienceAugust 17, 2026

balsam

BAWL-sum

Definition

A type of flowering plant known for its seed pods, which can suddenly snap open and scatter seeds when touched or mature.

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'balsamum' and Greek 'balsamon', originally referring to the aromatic resin of certain trees; it later came to be used for the garden flowering plant noted for its peculiar seed dispersal.

In the news

The article describes a winning science project that mimics the 'snap buckling' mechanism of a balsam seed to create an effective wildfire prevention system.

Hanwha Science Challenge 2026 Concludes with Record Participation of 1,088 Teams

Read the full article ↗

아시아경제

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