Today I Learned... Pinecones

 

closed vs open pinecones

Today I learned the difference between open and closed pinecones.

By default, they are open, but when wet, they close to protect the seeds inside).

I picked up the opened ones (ones on the right) yesterday when it was bright and sunny, and the closed ones today, after a huge rainstorm. I was curious when I saw that they all closed today, and after an observation and a quick Google search (to confirm my observation), they close when it is wet and cold.

These pinecones have a mind of their own :O