cockleburs
Spiny seed pods
Cockleburs are the prickly seed pods of plants in the genus *Xanthium*, covered in hooked spines that cling tenaciously to fur, clothing, and hair.
The burs spread seeds by hitching rides on passing animals and people.
Removing cockleburs from a dog's coat or a wool sweater is tedious work.
The plants themselves, common weeds in fields and disturbed ground, are also called cockleburs.
Person seeking free rides
- transportMoving things between places
- spreadTo distribute widely
- clingHold tightly to
- attachJoin or connect
adhere · fur · clothing · socks · shoelaces · migration · propagation · colonize
Having sharp points
- hookedDeeply dependent or bent
- barbedHaving sharp projections
- pricklySpiny or irritable
- clingHold tightly to
attach · entangle · snag · tangle · grip · catch · embed · bristled
Mild anger or inflammation
- annoyanceState of being bothered
- pestHarmful creature or nag
- botherTo annoy or disturb
- removalAct of taking away
grooming · detangling · livestock · dogs · horses · wool · contamination · chafe
Unwanted wild plants
- herbaceousHaving soft green stems
- annualOccurring every year
- invasiveEncroaching without welcome
- wildflowerUncultivated flowering plant
ragweed · thistle · sandbur · beggar-ticks · vegetation · foliage · roadside · pasture
hitchhiker
Person seeking free rides
attach · adhere · fur · clothing · socks · shoelaces · migration · propagation · colonize
spiny
Having sharp points
cling · attach · entangle · snag · tangle · grip · catch · embed · bristled · seedpod
irritation
Mild anger or inflammation
removal · grooming · detangling · livestock · dogs · horses · wool · contamination · chafe
weeds
Unwanted wild plants
- herbaceousHaving soft green stems
- annualOccurring every year
- invasiveEncroaching without welcome
wildflower · ragweed · thistle · sandbur · beggar-ticks · vegetation · foliage · roadside · pasture · allergenic
cockleburssilk
Fine woven insect fiber
velvet · grapes · blueberries · pearls · down feathers