Hydrodynamic Characteristics of Azalea Flowers after Falling on the Ground

抄録

Several researchers have investigated the flow characteristics that plants have acquired through evolution, such as seeds that can be transferred far by the wind. However, there are only a few discussions of the hydrodynamic characteristics of flowers after they fall on the ground. This study focused on the unique phenomenon of light azaleas that remain on the ground without being blown away by the wind. It experimentally evaluated the hydrodynamic forces on the azaleas (Rhododendron pulchrum and Rhododendron indicum) and three-dimensional printed flower models. Observations on the symphonic flowers of azalea revealed that these 5-cm-big flowers lie in different directions after they fall. However, they all turn in an upside down posture at once when the wind blows. Force measurement test results show that the drag characteristics of the azalea shaped flowers are significantly different from those of other flower models. The survival strategy implications of the flowers that are not blown away are beyond the scope of this paper; however, this unique behavior has potential applications in the engineering field.