How do bur grass seeds attach to animals and people?

Bur grass, which belongs to the genus Cenchrus, is well-adapted for seed dispersal through its specialized spikelets. These structures are covered in barbed spines that allow them to readily cling to the fur of passing animals. When people walk through areas where these plants grow—such as sandy beaches—the same barbed spines can painfully attach themselves to their feet or clothing. This mechanism is a highly effective evolutionary adaptation for the dispersal and establishment of the plant's seeds.1