1. The dispersal of seeds by wind while the seeds are floating on water: Seeds dispersed by pleustochory are typically small and plumed, like those of willows and cattails and they are initially dispersed through the air (anemochory) and once they settle on the water they are blown even by light breezes to the water’s edge.

Pleustochory is believed to occur on many bodies of water; such as, pools, lakes, and even flowing water; when there are source plants nearby.

Pleustochory has been shown to play an important role in the speedy delivery of willow seeds to the sides of pools. Willow seeds have been measured sailing at speeds greater than five meters (16.40 feet) per minute on standing water.

2. Etymology: from Greek pleust, "to sail" or "to float" + chore, "to move, to spread".