Omg. I googled the vine that grows in my driveway and makes little tiny plant seed versions of this device and learned that it is in the Caltrop family!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tribulus_terrestris
this post was submitted on 20 Jun 2024
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We call em goat heads
Bullhead stickers here.
Can confirm these hurt.
That is a vicious seed dispersal technique!
Tear that fucking plant out of the ground, burn it, and salt the ground.
I literally salt and vinegar the ground after ripping it out. I don't burn it, since I live in California and burn piles are generally frowned upon (but are allowed a few times per year). I send it off to the municipal compost, where it does at least get somewhat cooked. Then I go over it with one of these bad boys to get any stragglers: https://stickerburrroller.com/product/sticker-burr-removal-tool/ Doesn't matter, they come back strong several times per year.
Same thing with blackberries up here. Once they get established they're almost impossible to get rid of. At least they produce some berries once a year though. Those caltrops weeds are worthless in every way.
O god i think i've only really seen this in animation, where they tend to be simplified into straight spikes, so it only just occurred to me that they'd be hooked. That's nasty
Caltrap meaning heel-trap/shoe-trap makes so much sense. I always wondered what caltrap came from, thank you Dr Wesker.
Now I want to find a way to use "area denial weapon" somehow in casual conversation. Like a respect my boundaries sort of thing.
Now I want to find a way to use “area denial weapon” somehow in casual conversation.
"say... how about those minefields?"
I was on the bus the other day and someone definitely deployed their area denial weapon in the air.
Slightly different variants of these have been used throughout the history of warfare, even into fairly modern times.
Most recent use I am aware of is by the VC during the Vietnam war, but I would not be surprised if their usage continues up to present day.
More modern area denial weapons are ... basically wallet sized, airdropped in the hundreds or thousands, little landmines that'll blow off your toes or foot.
Mass use of anti infantry landmines is ... well its supposed to be basically banned under the geneva convention, both because they are weapons designed to maim, not kill, and they stay around and blow up kids for decades after the conflict is over.
We are binging Chopped! right now. These just showed up in an episode with a toxic foods theme. I recognized the picture because I looked them up during the episode.
Very simular to goat heads. Evil weed that popped so many bike tires as a kid!