Sorry, it has been a long time since my last post---life! If you walk off the trails at Springbrook this time of year, you may get a surprise hitch-hiker firmly attached. Burdock burrs are waiting for any passerby to attach to. This is this plant's mechanism to move to a new location-seed dispersal. And this plant has a unique method that humankind now uses everywhere.
I sliced this burr in half so the hundreds of seeds are exposed inside. But look at all the "hooks" waiting to snag a coat cuff, sock, scarf, dog tail, or kids mittens. I was told long ago that this plant was the inspiration for a scientist's idea for velcro, and, if true, you can see why. There are over a thousand hooks on each burr, enlarged below.
This is a great idea taken from nature. But it is a good thing there are no weed seeds in velcro.
