This is the term for the way in which seeds of some plants such as mistletoe are discharged. When ripe, they are immediately forced from the plant and flung into the air. In the case of mistletoe, the seeds are sticky and hopefully end up on another branch, or on a bird which will deposit it on another branch. Other plants also experience forcible discharge at times, such as california poppy or spanish broom. when walking by these plants on a hot day sometimes you will be able to hear the seed pods popping and the seeds falling nearby.