Horsetail spores don’t need legs to jump
Plant's curly, humidity-controlled ribbons propel epic leaps
![horsetail spore](https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/sm_EquisetumSpore_feat.jpg?fit=860%2C460&ssl=1)
BOING The tiny spore of a horsetail uncurls its four ribbonlike elaters as humidity drops. If the elaters uncurl suddenly, they can launch the spore in an extreme jump.
Philippe Marmottant