Description of the data and file structure

- Guide to the datasets for Fig1

This figure illustrates the mechanism and dynamics of sequential seed dispersal in V. philippica, including pod morphology, seed ejection, sequential valve closure, dispersal directionality, and comparative mechanical characteristics among species. The associated datasets contain measurements used for analyses shown in panels E–G.

1. Fig1E_Source_Data.xlsx

This file contains data on the dynamics of sequential pinching. It includes raw data used to measure the normalized gap distance, defined as the ratio of the gap at a given time point to the initial gap, are shown for multiple positions along the valve length during pinching. L represents the total valve length, r represents the distance from the proximal end of the valve to the measurement position, and t represents the normalized time relative to complete valve closure.

2. Fig1F_Source_Data.xlsx

Raw positional data of seeds used to quantify direction-controlled seed dispersal in V. philippica, extracted from high-speed imaging shortly after seed launch.

3. Fig1G_Source_Data.xlsx

This file contains data on the energy efficiency of various explosively dispersing seed pods, as well as pod and seed mass. It also includes seed velocity measurements of V. philippica.

4. V._philippica_seed_launch_speed_measurement.png

The figure illustrates representative examples used to measure seed launch velocity in V. philippica. High-speed videos recorded at 1000 frames per second were used to determine the travel distance (Lt) of individual seeds between consecutive frames, and seed velocity was calculated as Lt/(1/1000 s).

5. Fig1G_viola_efficiency.m

This file contains code used to calculate the potential energy stored in V. philippica, as described in Supplementary Text S1: Energetic efficiency of ballistic mechanisms.

- Guide to the datasets for Figure 2

This figure investigates the structural and biomechanical basis of pinching in Viola valves, including morphology, tissue architecture, deformation, and force generation. The associated datasets contain measurements used to analyze valve geometry, tissue responses, and pinching force production.

1. Fig2F_Source_Data.xlsx

Data used to generate Fig. 2F. This file contains the stiffness ratios and the corresponding normalized pinching displacements for both artificial and biological Viola valves.

- "Fig2F_artificial_nor_pinching" sheet

Contains normalized pinching displacement values as a function of the stiffness ratio for artificial Viola valves, as well as an example of the normalized pinching displacement measurement method.

- "Properties of artificial viola" sheet

Provides the elastic moduli of the responsive layer and the shell used in the artificial Viola valves.

- "Fig2F_biological nor_pinching" sheet

Contains normalized pinching displacement values as a function of the stiffness ratio for biological Viola valves, along with an example of the normalized pinching displacement measurement method.

- "Properties of biological viola" sheet

Provides effective elastic moduli of the responsive layer and shell of biological Viola valves, their thicknesses (or radii), and the image processing used to obtain these values.

2. artificial_nor_pinching_data.png

The figure illustrates representative examples of pinching strain analysis. Wet and dried states of responsive layers and engineered bilayers were compared to quantify deformation and pinching performance. ts : Thickness of the passive shell layer in the artificial bilayer valve, regardless of shell material (e.g., tough resin, elastic resin, or elastomer). αΔΦ: Free shrinkage strain of the responsive layer, calculated as (length_wet − length_dried) / length_wet. RαΔΦ  Reference displacement of the responsive layer alone (bare hydrogel), used for normalization. δT: Pinching displacement of the artificial valve generated during drying. δT/(RαΔΦ): Normalized pinching strain, defined as the pinching displacement divided by the reference shrinkage displacement of the responsive layer alone. Stiffness ratio B: Dimensionless stiffness ratio between the shell and responsive layers, calculated from the elastic modulus and geometry of the bilayer structure, and used to characterize mechanical coupling between the two layers.

3. biological_nor_pinching_data.png

The figure illustrates representative examples used for pinching strain analysis in V. philippica. Wet and dried configurations of the responsive layer alone and structures with a shell are shown.

4. Properties_of_biological_viola_data.png

The figure illustrates representative examples of image processing used for geometric and porosity analyses in V. philippica. Cross-sectional images were used to quantify tissue-layer geometry and cellular porosity through image segmentation and area measurements.

5. Fig2G_Source_Data.xlsx

Data used to generate Fig. 2G. This file contains the forces generated by each actuator with half-circular and rectangular geometries.

- Guide to the datasets for Figure 3

This figure investigates the mechanical basis of force amplification during sequential seed dispersal in V. philippica. The associated datasets include simulation results of seed ejection forces during valve zipping, measurements of funiculus fracture thresholds, image-based reconstruction of the three-dimensional valve geometry used for mechanical simulations, and seed retention data under different trimming conditions.

1. Fig3E_Source_Data.xlsx

This Excel file contains the data used to generate Fig. 3E and consists of the following sheets:

- "Fig 3E_simulation results" sheet

Contains simulation results of the forces transmitted to individual seeds during zippering. These data were used to generate the plot shown in Fig. 3E.

- "Fig 3E_funiculus fracture" sheet

Contains the fracture threshold of the funiculi obtained from mechanical measurements. This sheet also includes the raw experimental data used to determine the fracture threshold.

2. method_used_to_measure_funiculus_fracture.png

The figure illustrates the method used to measure funiculus fracture thresholds. The fracture threshold was defined as the maximum force recorded during tensile testing immediately prior to fracture.

3. Fig3E_3D_shape_Source_Data.xlsx

This Excel file contains data used to construct the simulation geometry required to generate the results in the "Fig3E_simulation_results" sheet of Fig3E.xlsx.

4. raw_images_used_to_construct_the_3D_violet-like_geometry.png

This image includes the raw images used to construct the 3D violet-like geometry applied in the simulations, along with the image processing procedures.

5. Fig3G_Source_Data.xlsx

Raw seed count data used to analyze seed retention in V. philippica valves under different trimming conditions. t = 0: Initial seed count. t = τ: Seed count remaining 1 day after start of the experiment.

- Guide to the datasets for supplementary

The supplementary datasets provide the raw data, processed measurements, simulation outputs, and computational tools used to generate the supplementary figures. Together, these files document the structural, biomechanical, developmental, and physiological analyses underlying the study of sequential pinch-coupled seed dispersal in Viola philippica, including tissue mechanics, hydration dynamics, growth patterns, force generation, seed movement, and cellulose microfibril organization.

1. figS1_Source_Data.xlsx

Raw data used to quantify water content of V. philippica seed pods during seed dispersal based on fresh and dry weight measurements (seeds excluded).

2. figS5_Source_Data.xlsx

Raw surface length measurements of the inner and outer boundaries of the responsive tissue and arm shell were used to analyze nonuniform strain during valve pinching deformation.

3. figS7E_Source_Data.xlsx

Raw small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) intensity data of the responsive layer of V. philippica. These data were used to quantify the microfibril angle in the responsive tissue.

4. figS7E.m

MATLAB code used to process the SAXS intensity data of the responsive layer of V. philippica and to extract the microfibril angle from the azimuthal intensity profiles.

5. figS10_Source_Data.xlsx

Raw measurements of seed pod width in V. philippica over time, used to analyze volumetric growth patterns.

6. figS12_Source_Data.xlsx

Simulation data and experimental (biological) measurements of the normalized height change of V. philippica valves during drying.

7. geometric_parameters_used_for_shape_analysis.png

Schematic illustration showing geometric parameters used for shape analysis. The image was generated by annotating representative pod photographs.

8. figS12F_Source_Data.xlsx

Raw water content measurements of proximal and distal valve segments in V. philippica seed pods for comparison during sequential pinching deformation.

9. figS15_Source_Data.xlsx

Raw images and extracted values were used to determine (i) the magnitude of the force transmitted to seeds during drying, and (ii) the inclination angle of the seeds in V. philippica. Fr,x and Fr,y denote the x- and y-components of the reaction force exerted by the valve on the seed, respectively, and Fs denotes the resultant seed-ejection force acting along the funiculus.

10. seed_angle_measurement.png

The figure illustrates the geometric approximation used to quantify seed inclination angles in V. philippica. Seed orientations were estimated from image-based measurements by approximating each seed as an ellipsoid with a conical base and defining the inclination angle from the contact geometry between neighboring seeds.

11. figS16_Source_Data.xlsx

Measured values used to calculate the degree of seed reorientation occurring during the drying process of V. philippica valves.

12. geometric_measurements_used_to_quantify_seed_reorientation.png

The figure illustrates the geometric measurements used to quantify seed reorientation during valve drying. Parameters including valve curvature, effective seed height (defined as the sum of funiculus length and cone length), seed geometry, and attachment point spacing were measured and incorporated into the reorientation analysis.