This introduction from New Zealand or Australia has taken a particular liking to the dunes of Lindisfarne. It isn't obvious why the local distribution varies but in some places there are one or two plants and in others you can't help but tread on them. The burs stick to both natural and man-made fabrics, breaking into separate seeds each remaining attached by its own spine if you try to rub them off. Walking through the plants can leave you shoes literally covered in the burs.

English Nature would rather we all cleaned every single bur off before leaving the island but this can be such a daunting task that I doubt many casual visitors will even try, much less succeed. The idea is to prevent transfer to the dunes on the mainland but they're already there to no-one's surprise. Although this invader has dotted itself around the country the greatest concentration is around Holy Island. There is a little in Ireland but none in Scotland.

Holy Island (Lindisfarne) Northumberland 15th July 2006

Added on 8th August 2006, updated 29th April 2008, updated 20th February 2010