These spiky drift seeds have been hand cast from surf-tumbled Hawaiian seedpods, where the Ironwood tree was introduced in the late 19th century. With air cavities to make them buoyant and a tough, woody coat for protection, drift seeds can survive long journeys on ocean currents, surviving in some cases for months and even years at sea. When they are finally beached somewhere they may face further obstacles, such as inhospitable weather, predators, and lack of moisture. And yet, in the face of such hardship, these tiny seeds are dispersed in the wind and surf to travel the earth, ensuring the survival of their species.
