A variant or alternate spelling of achene; a small, dry, single-seeded fruit that does not open to release its seed.
From Greek ā- (not) + chainein (to gape), literally meaning 'not gaping.' The word 'akene' is an older or alternative spelling of the botanical term 'achene.'
Dandelion seeds, sunflower seeds, and maple helicopters are all achenes—this technical botanical term describes one of nature's most common seed types, but most people don't know it exists!
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