This little beauty disperses its seeds using a very specialized mechanism called ballistochory, or ballochory (as in ballistics!). It explosively releases its seeds when the valves on the seed pod curl back rapidly when touched or brushed upon. The violent ejecting of its contents is also known as explosive dehiscence (a useful new scrabble word?). This rapid catapulting of seeds away from the parent plant is similar to what American witch hazel does - great for seed dispersal.
The sap is also a natural remedy for poison ivy and other skin rashes.
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