Prickly seed coverings (4) - Crossword Clue
Answer: BURS
Understanding Prickly Seed Coverings (4) - BURS
- BURS are the prickly seed coverings that cling to clothing and animal fur as a natural seed dispersal mechanism.
What Are Burs?
- Burs (also spelled burrs) are nature's hitchhikers - specialized seed pods covered in tiny hooks, spines, or prickles that allow them to attach to passing animals, clothing, and fabric.
- These prickly seed coverings evolved as an ingenious dispersal strategy, enabling plants to spread their seeds far beyond where they originally grew.
- The most common plants producing burs include burdock, cocklebur, sandbur, and beggar's ticks. Each bur contains seeds protected within a hardened outer shell studded with curved hooks or sharp spines.
- When animals brush against these plants, the burs detach and travel along, eventually falling off in a new location where the seeds can germinate.
Tips for Dealing with Burs
- Removal from clothing: Remove burs before washing, as water can set the hooks deeper into fabric. Use a fine-toothed comb or duct tape to lift burs away gently.
- Pet care: Check your dog's coat immediately after outdoor walks, especially between toes and in ears where burs can cause injury or infection.
- Garden prevention: Remove bur-producing plants before they flower and set seed. Wear thick gloves when handling, as mature burs can penetrate skin.
- Trail wisdom: Stay on cleared paths during late summer and fall when burs are most prevalent. Wear long pants and closed-toe shoes in areas known for sandburs.
- Natural dispersal: While annoying, burs play important ecological roles in providing food for seed-eating birds and contributing to plant biodiversity.
Prickly seed coverings (4) - 7 Little Words - FAQs
Q:Why are they spelled both "burs" and "burrs"?
Both spellings are correct. "Bur" is the preferred botanical spelling, while "burr" is common in general usage and refers to rough edges on metal or pronunciation.
Q:Can burs damage my pet?
Yes. Burs can become lodged in ears, between toes, or in the mouth, causing pain and infection. Always check pets thoroughly after outdoor activities.
Q:What inspired Velcro's invention?
Swiss engineer George de Mestral examined burdock burs under a microscope in 1941 and replicated their hook-and-loop design, creating Velcro.
Q:How do I prevent burs in my yard?
Maintain healthy, dense grass or ground cover to prevent bur-producing weeds from establishing. Mow regularly before plants can set seed, and hand-pull young plants in spring.
Q:Are any burs edible?
Burdock roots are edible and commonly used in Asian cuisine. However, the burs themselves are inedible and potentially harmful if ingested.
