Progesterone. Print | Email article to a friend | Last updated: January 14, 2015. Progesterone is a hormone released by the corpus luteum in the ovary. It plays important roles in the menstrual cycle and in maintaining the early stages of pregnancy. It may also be involved in the growth of certain cancers.
Maple helicopters fall before the leaves drop from the trees. Maple trees (Acer spp.) produce winged seeds called double samaras, which twirl to the ground in late summer or early fall. They resemble helicopters in motion, earning them the common name of helicopters or whirligigs.
Maple seeds do not fall off the tree until the wings are quite dry. This has two advantages. For one thing it makes them lighter so that they will fly farther. It also makes the wing more brittle so that once they land the wing material may break away from the seed.