4
$\begingroup$

I found this strange bur on a stray cat in my neighborhood. I've never seen anything like it, and Google reverse image search thinks it's an earring. Found in in northern California, just south of Clearlake. (38.90 N, 122.60 W)

The spike structure is almost exactly one inch long.

<img src="https://imgur.com/f4veMft" width="240" height="480">

Improve this question
$\endgroup$

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
9
$\begingroup$

A friend has informed me this is from the redstem Filaree, and there are some cool time-lapse videos on Youtube of their spinning behavior when they are exposed to water, which is thought to help them burrow into the soil. (I'm just glad it didn't get a chance to burrow into the kitty!)

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
1
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ Well done, and fascinating! +1 $\endgroup$
    – anongoodnurse
    Commented May 17, 2018 at 2:26

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .