What is samara maple seeds?

Samara maple seeds come from the Acer saccharinum tree, also known as the silver maple. They are winged seeds that are often referred to as "helicopters" or "whirlybirds" due to their spinning motion when they fall from the tree. The wings of the seeds help them to disperse through the air and can even allow them to travel several hundred feet away from the parent tree. In the fall, samara maple seeds turn brown and fall from the tree, providing a food source for many animals. They are also popular for children to play with and experiment with their spinning properties.