Can you post a picture of what you have? The seeds are very small dark brown. But it doesn’t really matter if you sow a bit of chaff along with the seeds.

Well, I really do want to know which is the seeds and which is chaff. That way I know how many seeds I'm actually planting or trading. I would hate to be giving more chaff than seeds!

I don’t actually see many seeds there at all, unless there are still some hidden inside the dried calyces. I wouldn't trade them as they're not sufficiently good quality. Maybe winter sow the whole caboodle and cross your fingers there area few seeds there. There’s an image here: https://parkseed.com/success-with-seeds-astilbe/a/sws16/

Here's two more pictures.

I had two pailfull of the astilbes....there HAS to be seeds here!

Right. It wasn’t clear you had that much material.

My post disappeared, so I'll try again.

My post disappeared, so I'll try again.

That's what I thought they were, but everyone else seemed to thiink not! I had planned on trading/selling the astilbe seeds (I sell online organic seeds) , but when I'm not completely sure of what I have I don't take that chance of someone not getting what they ordered or wanted. I appreciated all the comments, but I finally quit. I may try some for myself and watch what I'm planting to determine what the actual seeds are. I'll try one more time, as I appreciate you responding with that info! Thanks again!