It's a new one on me, I'm posting so I can find out. :-) Waiting for a knowing one to come online.

I think this is Burdock? if memory serves me! I remember they grew in the hedges rows on the way to school and stuck to things like teachers!!! as you said Dorjak. The real reason I remember them is I love the dandelion and Burdock drink

Isn't burdock quite small - not a shrub?

Google to the rescue again - sorry, I'm thinking of butterbur. Derr! :-)

Its not that small and a biennial thistle the burs are about the size of a walnut and was the inspiration for Velcro.

I thought that you may have been referring to Sticky Willy/Goose Grass but the pick is different. We certainly used to stick sticky willy to everyone we could!

I am not sure this is Burdock Kidermorie? its my memory of what we did with Burdock?

It is greater burdock, Arctium lappa.

There is a ritual performed every August in South Queensferry, near Edinburgh. They make a suit out of these burrs. With little holes for his eyes and mouth.
If you google Burry Man South Queensferry you can get the whole story and google images gives loads of pictures.

Thanks for that Scottish! Very interesting. As he's drinking all day, I wonder if he can go to the loo...? Sorry to lower the tone, but I couldn't help wondering.

Thanks St I am glad my memories are still intact.

These are very common down by the Arun and if you get them in your hiking socks they are the very devil to get rid of, and the tiny ends of the prickles remain! I had to throw away a woollen scarf last year because it had picked up dozens of burrs as I passed by a plant and try as I might I couldn't get them off without pulling all the threads in the scarf. The idea, of course, is to attach themselves to passing animals and so spread their seeds far and wide!

I don't think he can 'go' for a wee Beattie. I have been told that he just has to either hold it in or do the best he can!!

OOOH! :-( I'll bet he doesn't take any water with it

I've found from the burdock lead. It is Arctium Lappa. The tiny hairs that are in with the seeds are toxic(yellow triangle). They do make very good itching powder for someone you really do not like. Biennial too. Used for Dandelion and Burdock in big earthenware bottles with with a finger handle at the top and a black screw stopper. Grandad used to sell it in his shop. You got some pay back when bottle returned.

The 'Pop man' used to call once a week with 'Corona' in glass bottles with pot and wire pull over tops. I liked the red pop but my fav was D&B. My brothers used to collect empty bottles and get money for them at the shop. Everything was delivered then and at Christmas regular customers were given a gift from the shop owner (butter from the grocer. mince pies from the baker) to thank them for their patronage.

Thanks for the lead Drc. It is certainly a shrub with attitude. You would never, to look at it, think it could be part of a drink! Who finds out these things I wonder. How many upset stomachs before the right formula is found?

I was thinking along the same lines today - who put the first match to Gas? Sadly children dont walk to school or anywhere anymore and dont learn about nature and its funside.