False colour scanning electron micrograph showing 2 barbs on the surface of a hooked fruit of cleavers or goosegrass, Galium aparine, entangled in She

---

False colour scanning electron micrograph showing 2 barbs on the surface of a hooked fruit of cleavers or goosegrass, Galium aparine, entangled in Shetland wool. Commonly known as a bur, the fruit contains a single seed, which is dispersed by means of the barbs covering its surface. The barbs attach to animal fur or human clothing & are transported for some distance before being removed. The fruit may also pass undamaged through the digestive system of some animals. The synthetic material used in the clothing industry as a fastener, is based on the same principle as the hooked fruit. Magnification: X 57 at 35mm size. original is BW print b790/010.

---

Size: 3454px × 4912px
Photo credit: © DR JEREMY BURGESS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: aparine, barbs, botany, bur, cleaver, fruit, galium, goosegrass, hooked, nature, part, parts, plant, plants, reproduction, reproductive, seed, structure