While most materials can be wetted only by water (hydrophilic) or oil (oleophilic), the researchers found the pappus of a dandelion — the
fluffy,
white structure surrounding the
seed — is omniphilic, able to be saturated by both materials.
On a «good coyote brush year» in the Golden Gate National Parks, millions of
seeds float through the air on
fluffy white umbrellas, coating some areas in drifts so thick you could imagine that you're in the mountains strapping on skis.