Seeds, in the form of thorns and burs, are a familiar feature of the tall grass or underbrush of South African landscapes. Some bear hooks and barbs designed to latch onto the fur and fleece of passing animals, while others grow sharp spikes intended to pierce hooves and feet. This allows them to spread to new areas, earning them the collective name “hitchhiker plants”. Macro photography reveals the often-unnoticed details of these intricate seeds.