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Seed-Shooting Plants

Lockwood Gardens

A few nights ago, I was walking my dogs and enjoying a peaceful evening stroll. The breeze was light and the air was just starting to chill -- it was a perfect spring night. Suddenly without warning, I started to hear what sounded like small projectiles hitting the large boxwood next to me. I stopped and stood silently -- listening for the source of the sound. I continued to hear the repeated "tunk, tunk" of something hitting the tree. I thought for a moment that someone with very poor aim might be shooting at me with a sling shot or pellet gun. I decided to move along quickly and head home. When I got home, I immediately shared my experience with my wife. "It was probably just the wisteria seed pods popping," she said. Confused, I suggested that we sit down and research it together and sure enough, wisteria pods do that!

W. Brooks Paternotte took the helm of Irvine Nature Center as executive director in July 2013 and immediately began building on the strong 35-year foundation. Brooks is a Baltimore native who was a teacher, coach, advisor, dean and Head of the Middle School during his 13 years at Boys’ Latin School in Baltimore. He is also an instructor and ambassador of the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) and is a Leave No Trace Master, as well as an avid outdoorsman and a features writer for FlyLife Magazine.