A
samara is a form of
tree seed in which the seed is somewhat flattened and encased within a flat sheath of fibrous, papery tissue. This form enables the wind to carry the seed a short distance away from the parent tree. A particular form of samara is sometimes called a key, where the papery sheath extends far out to one side so that the seed spirals as it falls, helping it to move out from the parent tree. Trees with rounded samaras include the
elms (genus
Ulmus) and the
hoptree,
Ptelea trifoliata. Trees with the elongated keys include the
maples (genus
Acer) and the
ashes (genus
Fraxinus).
Samara, Russia is a large city to the east of the Volga River. It is also the name of an oblast with this city as its province capital.
Lada Samara - a model of Lada automobile named after the city.