These Tiny Things Covered My Pant Leg After a Walk … I Had No Idea What They Were

Common Plants That Produce Burrs

Depending on where you live, several plants may leave these hitchhiking seed pods on your clothing, including:

• Burdock
• Cocklebur
• Beggar’s ticks (tick-trefoil)
• Bur clover
• Sandbur grasses

These plants are commonly found along hiking trails, fields, woodland edges, and roadsides, especially during late summer and autumn when the seeds mature.

Are Burrs Harmful?

For most people, burrs are simply an annoyance. They don’t bite, sting, or spread disease.

However, they can cause a few problems:

• They can be difficult to remove from clothing.
• They easily tangle in pet fur.
• Some burrs have sharp spines that may irritate the skin.
• Large numbers of burrs can become painful for animals if left attached.

After outdoor walks, it’s a good idea to check your clothes and your pets before heading indoors.