Joe, they do launch their ripe seeds!
Seed-launching is one of my favorite plant tactics. <3
Although I think Protea take the cake in that respect - there are some species that spontaneously combust after setting seed in order to clear the brush away for their progeny.
~Joe
One of those Proteas would be cool - if I had somewhere fire retardant to grow it!
Funny but that would totally suck. Home owners insurance is always trying to get out of paying benefits - I'll bet plant fires aren't covered! LOLbut then there's this...