Forest Burr
Pupalia lappacea
In a sunny opening within secondary forest growth, Nairobi, Kenya, Africa. July 2015.
SUBSHRUB: Mostly herbaceous branches scramble up through other shrubs reaching several meters in length.
FRUIT: The almost spherical heads of seeds have hooked bracts subtending each single-seeded fruit.
FLOWERS: The flowers are small and papery and set within closely packed heads.
LEAVES: Opposite leaves are elliptic, shiny green, with impressed veins.
RANGE: This plant is native to Africa, but is probably more widely distributed now because the seeds are so easily transported on clothing or animals fur.
UNARMED. The sharp burrs can be irritating, however.