Boing Boing

Boing Boing

You won't believe what dandelion stems do when wet

Popkin
Jul 10, 2025
∙ Paid

Image: Chatty G

Nature hides small wonders in unexpected places — even in common dandelions. When softened by water, dandelion stems can be pressed against a flat surface to create delicate, curling spirals that look more like art than weeds.

This spellbinding transformation occurs because dandelion stems are made up of long fibers that separate when comp…

User's avatar

Continue reading this post for free, courtesy of Boing Boing.

Or purchase a paid subscription.
Popkin's avatar
A guest post by
Popkin
Boing Boing contributor
Subscribe to Popkin
© 2026 Happy Mutants LLC · Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start your SubstackGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture