Plant burr stuck to woolly fabric. The burr contains individual fruits (achenes), attached by a papery bract (modified leaf, spikey). The end of each

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Plant burr stuck to woolly fabric. The burr contains individual fruits (achenes), attached by a papery bract (modified leaf, spikey). The end of each bract is hooked, which enables them to become attached to the fur of passing animals, or in human clothing, thus aiding the dispersal of the burr. This structure was the inspiration for the common 'hook and loop' fasteners used on clothing today.

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Size: 5200px × 3373px
Photo credit: © PASCAL GOETGHELUCK/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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