Is there a different name for this monstrosity of nature?
Beggar lice
I've never heard of it. What is it?
I believe it is also called wild carrot and Queen Ann's Lace. Pretty when blooming but hateful when seeds are dry.
Yes, it's awful because it seems like the tiny little burrs actually jump onto your clothes, socks, pet fur, etc--and really a pain to get out.
Really? I grow it here in my natural beds and have not had any issues with it - I dont have pets but on me I have not had trouble. After bloom the plant dies and new plant form. It is in the carrot family, and you can eat the roots. I tried this spring and small but tasty. If you pull off the birds nest of seeds and toss you will not have issues with them again. This is a plant that I love for some areas here and would not be without it. I know some folks think it a weed - but not after they see it in the garden done right.
What we call beggar lice or stick tight is not Queen Anne's lace. It has tiny white flowers that are not in an umbrel but scattered all over the plant. It grows about two feet tall and covers cats, dogs, and socks with scads of small flat burrs. I have looked online but have not identified the plant yet.
I looked online too, and couldn't find anything that looked like what I know as beggar lice. Do you think it's a Texas peculiarity, like horny toads, and in a terrible miscarriage of environmental justice, have thrived , while the noble horny toad is gone?
Glad to hear it.. would ahte to think my Queen Annes Lace would do that..
Tutroy, is "cleavers" the name you are looking for? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galium_aparine
Yeah, I think cleavers might be it--thanks! By the way, where is Blanket?
Blanket is about 10 miles from Brownwood. We've just moved here so I don't have my bearings yet, but we are in the same region as Goldthwaite, where I see patrob is from. :-)
Tina
So--you're in peanut country are you? Better watch out--the veddy-veddy are angling up your way. You might have to sell for a huge profit soon!
Cleavers eat us up in the springtime here.... Interesting info on it I have stashed in my journal as it was an old medicinal herb. http://davesgarden.com/tools/journal/viewentry.php?rid=115997
beggars lice is not just a TX plant. I remember trying to comb them out of wool, argyle, and nylon socks when I was in Boy Scouts. Found them in OK and NM as well. Need them out before washing, or they would clump other things together. And we needed clean socks to hike in.
Cockle burrs also were attracted to us, but being bigger were easy to pick off.
Maybe this is the plant you are thinking about;
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/605/
Josephine.