the growing cockleburs

navigate by keyword : burs cling clinging cocklebur cockleburs colonies compound daisy design develop developing dispersal dye evergreen family field fields flower food fruit fruits fur green grow herb hitchhikes invasive invention leads leaf minimal monoecious natural nature occurs organic organs plant plants pollination prickly produce raceme reproduction reproductive roadside roadsides rustic seasonal seed selfseeding shrub spikelike spiky stem stems strumarium sturdy summer tenacious texture tree undefined velcro wallpaper weed wild wildflower wind xanthium

Alabama Cockleburs Xanthium strumarium Royalty Free Stock Photo

Cocklebur ( Xanthium strumarium )is a summer annual weed in the daisy family . They have minimal branching, except for short side stems that develop from the leaf axils. The central stem ends in a spike-like raceme similar to the racemes of the leaf axils. Cocklebur is monoecious, that is having both male and female reproductive organs on a plant. Each raceme produces several male compound flowers along the upper half and several female compound flowers along the lower half. Pollination occurs by wind, reproduction by self-seeding. This often leads to colonies being formed.Inspired the invention of velcro. Fruits were used as a yellow dye. The fruit, a prickly bur, hitchhikes on fur, hair and clothing.