Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: Burdock

Common Burdock (Arctium minus) is an invasive weed, but I always find the prickly burs attractive. This macro shot was taken on 2 September 2013, in the Boat Launch area in Fish Creek Park. "The prickly heads of these plants (burrs) are noted for easily catching on to fur and clothing (being the inspiration for Velcro), thus providing an excellent mechanism for seed dispersal." From Wikipedia.

Yay - I finally have Internet again!!! Was without it yesterday evening and night up till maybe 20 minutes ago (it's about 10:45 a.m. now). After my continuous computer problems the last 3+ weeks, I was beginning to think that this was yet another one, ha! I don't need any more stress!!! In the end, after trying the usual things, I phoned Shaw and found a recorded message saying that they were experiencing technical difficulties. I was so relieved - though it still made for a "strange" evening and night having no access to the Net. So, instead, I sat for hours and backed up more of my photo folders, really concerned and feeling more and more convinced that there was something deep-seatedly wrong with my computer - and now, this morning, I can barely lift my arms upwards. Looks like I will be living in my pjs and going with hair uncombed for the rest of the day, ha! Remember what life was like before the invention of computers, lol?? Does anyone have a spare day of relaxation that they would be willing to donate to a worthy cause (i.e. "moi")? Oh, and this is Common Burdock, photographed at Mallard Point, Fish Creek Park, on September 25th. Though it is an invasive weed, I find the plant quite attractive. "The prickly heads of these plants (burrs) are noted for easily catching on to fur and clothing (being the inspiration for Velcro), thus providing an excellent mechanism for seed dispersal." From Wikipedia.

Apparently, the tiny hooks on the burrs of the Common Burdock plant provided the inspiration for the creation of Velcro! "The hook-loop fastener was invented in 1948 by Swiss engineer, George de Mestral. The idea came to him after he took a close look at the Burdock seeds which kept sticking to his clothes and his dog's fur on their daily summer walks in the Alps. He examined their condition and saw the possibility of binding two materials reversibly in a simple fashion. He developed the hook and loop fastener and submitted his idea for patent in 1951. It was then granted in 1955. De Mestral named his invention "VELCRO" after the French words velours, meaning 'velvet', and crochet, or 'hook'. The uses and applications of the product are numerous. Today, the VELCRO mark is the subject of more than 300 trademark registrations in over 160 countries." From Wikipedia.

Though this plant is invasive and is pulled from time to time, it is still an attractive plant, with its hooked burrs and its unusual purple and white flowers. This particular plant was growing near the edge of the old Beaver pond in Shaw's Meadow.