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Plant surface properties influence solid–liquid interactions and matter exchange between the organs and their surrounding environment. In the case of fruits, surface processes may be of relevance for seed production and dispersal. To gain insight into the relationship between surface structure, chemical composition and function of aerial reproductive organs, we performed diverse experiments with the dry, winged fruits, or samaras, of  Ulmus laevis  Pall. and  Ulmus minor  Mill. both at the time of full maturity (green samaras) and of samara dispersal (dry samaras). Samaras of both elm species showed positive photosynthetic rates and absorbed water through their epidermal surfaces. The surface wettability, free energy, polarity and solubility parameter were lower in  U. laevis  than in  U. minor  and decreased for dry samaras in both species.  Ulmus laevis  samaras had a high degree of surface nano-roughness mainly conferred by cell wall folds containing pectins that substantially increased after hydration. The samaras in this species also had a thicker cuticle that could be isolated by enzymatic digestion, whereas that of  U. minor  samaras had higher amounts of soluble lipids. Dry samaras of  U. laevis  had higher floatability and lower air sustentation than those of  U. minor . We concluded that samaras contribute to seed development by participating in carbon and water exchange. This may be especially important for  U. minor , whose samaras develop before leaf emergence. The trichomes present along  U. laevis  samara margin may enhance water absorption and samara floatability even in turbulent waters. In general,  U. minor  samaras show traits that are consistent with a more drought tolerant character than  U. laevis  samaras, in line with the resources available both at the tree and ecosystem level for these species. Samara features may additionally reflect different adaptive strategies for seed dispersal and niche differentiation between species, by favoring hydrochory for  U. laevis  and anemochory for  U. minor .

Surface properties and physiology of Ulmus laevis and U. minor samaras: implications for seed development and dispersal