So I’m sure y’all know how Velcro was invented right. If you don’t, see the links at the bottom of the post. Well biomimetic is the study of nature and natural occurrences. We learn so much from observing what nature has figured out millions and millions of years ago.
The seeds of Desmodium, otherwise known as Tick-clover!
Tweedy’s Tick-clover (Desmodium tweedyi) is one of the ones we have here. Notice the three leaves which all the Desmodium in FNCT have except for one species, Desmodium psilophyllum. That species is found in the Hill Country and further southwest.
These seeds probably go by several names, but I have always called them sticktights. So these are from a Tick-clover (Desmodium).
A closer look! Teensy tiny hooks that very effectively cling to clothing and fur.
Really cool at 100X!
Other seeds cling to the clinger too.
Another wind blown (maybe a thistle) seed clings!
Another clinger is the non-native Beggars-ticks (Torilis arvensis) burs. Quite pretty when you zoom in!
But not only do the seeds get a ride, but other creatures use it for transportation too. 🙂
And there are a lot of clingers in the field! Moreover nature has had a big head start on technology.
Wow! What great pictures of our natural inspiration!
Thank you 😊
Every spring we work to remove that hedge parsley, Torilis arvensis, from our prairie restoration!
Hope you succeed! I don’t believe we will ever get gone at our place. 🤷🏻♀️
Those are aggravating stickers. Especially in socks.
What a story and inspiration – cool pics! Whatever would we do w/o velcro – if course all those beggars ticks stick so incredibly well to velcro too.
Fantastic photos!