What makes maple seeds fly?

Maple seeds, also known as samaras, have a unique wing-like structure that allows them to glide through the air. When the seeds fall from the tree, their shape causes them to spin, creating lift and slowing their descent. This adaptation helps the seeds disperse over greater distances, increasing the chances of germination away from the parent tree. The spinning motion is a result of the aerodynamic design of the seed's wing.