It looks innocuous, growing low among the dune grasses, but in the summer it throws up spherical seed heads which are fiendishly effective.
They reckon that this plant was most probably introduced to the UK from its native New Zealand on wool imports coming into nearby Berwick upon Tweed. Its hard to track down exactly when but one source I found puts it to about 1915. Its in other parts of the world now too including the US where it has the curious common names of biddy-biddy and bidgee-widgee.
In no time, I had collected the first seed head - on my shoe.
If you try to pick it off it plays its next ace. The round head disintegrates into a dozen or more separate seeds each firmly attached.
So, how does it work?
Arrow heads..... hundreds of them....
What can you say but .......brilliant (and don't take a hairy dog.)
Still picking it out my socks from a visit Monday.
ReplyDeleteWell, what does Natural England know, eh? Will try not to collect any when we visit in September. In fact, Allan, you may be able to help pick the seeds off my trainers and the dog!!
ReplyDeleteHi Crumbling Cliff! Welcome to the blogosphere. I look forward to more good stuff on your new blog.A
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