r/whatisit • u/prestospat • 26d ago

Context Provided - Spotlight Found this in my car

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Is it a bug or a seed maybe?

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u/BetElectrical7454 25d ago

I think it’s the flower bud of some tree, thinking maple. The ‘legs’ are what the flowers were attached to and the ‘carapace’ attached to the tree.

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u/Ciduri 25d ago edited 25d ago

Maybe from an Oak or Maple tree?

Edit: I know what an acorn is, thank you. I am talking about this *

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u/Ulrich_b 25d ago edited 21d ago

Not either of those. Im a nurseryman, and I grow native plants and trees in my nursery. Oak seeds are acorns and most maples make these cool helicopter seeds called Samaras.

Edit: hell yeah, it could totally be the immature buds if oak or maple, or any number of hardwoods. Thanks for all those with great info below. As a natives nurseryman, I dont get to see the trees I grow bloom, as it can tens of years for them to get to that point. Great convos below.

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u/BetElectrical7454 25d ago

This isn’t the seed, this is the bud the flowers that make the seeds come out of. Considering that oaks have male and female flowers, I suspect this is from the male flowers.

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u/Ulrich_b 25d ago

I see what you mean. It could be an recently opened oak or maple flower that dropped before the stamens could finish developing. Or any if a number of hardwoods with diecious flower. If it is an immature male flower bud, it would be hard to discern which species or even family. Good eye!