Shakers: Look for plants with dried cases, or pods, that have cracked
open, so the seeds can be shaken to the ground. Common evening
primrose and mullein are good examples. Jewelweed has small, lumpy
green pods that burst when touched. In bee balm, tansy, and black-eyed
Susan, the seeds are not enclosed in pods but held together in a dark
brown "head" or cluster on the top of the plant. Japanese knotweed and
yellow dock have seeds holding right onto the stem.
Riders: These seed pods have hooked prickles that attach to fur or
clothing, so they can be carried away. The prickles feel sharp or sticky
when you touch them. Burdock burrs are round, the size of a marble.
Agrimony seeds are smaller, shaped like tiny spinning tops. Tick trefoil
seeds are flat, and their hooks are too small to see, but they attach
themselves to your clothes in an arc.
Seed Descriptions
