Animal, vegetable or....? Can you help with id

[Bruce Williams]

Pic taken at Salcey Forest on 1st January. The unknown is the small spiny object at left of centre. I'm pretty sure it's something quite different to the hedgehog slug in my earlier posting.

Help with identification appreciated.

Bruce

[Bruce Williams]

Please note: the orange fungus is NOT the unidentified object - Bruce

[Deer Stalker]

Might be a plant seed?

[Dan Salter]

Its the seed of something like goosegrass ( cleavers ) or any of those plants that rely on animal fur/feet /human dispersal...

[tufftie]

I'd go with a goosegrass seed too.

[Bruce Williams]

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

I've Googled goosegrass and certainly can see the close resemblance. The arrangement of slightly hooked spines would absolutely fit the "seed dispersal" theory.

What initially surprised me (until I gave it some thought) was the fact that I found it on 1st January - but then I realised that plant seed have to somehow make it through the winter to whatever point in the year it germinates and grows.

Bruce

[Kayleigh]

I go with goosegrass my dog come home covered in these.

[godaddyrab]

Hi, I am new here .. my first post ..
weren't those things the inspiration for velcro?

[Dan Salter]

Yes i believe so...or a seed very similar.

[Paul mabbott]

Could you give us an idea of the size - in comparison to the moss it looks rather small for a big plant seed .... ?