Can I explain the idea behind a Velcro tape using the name of these plant seeds? (photo) **Introduction:** Long time ago, when I had no idea Velcro tape was called in Japanese I tried to suggest using it to my Japanese colleague. He had no idea about the word "Velcro", so I tried an example of bur, but I found Japanese people think of food when they hear (burdock) rather than its seeds. Now I have found these stuck to my jeans: . **Question:** What is the plant (or seeds) called in Japanese and is its feature of sticking to animals/human known well enough to use it as an explanation of the way Velcro tape works?

The generic name you are lookig for would be []{} or .

means "to adhere to". is its synonym.

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As to your other question, I just remembered hearing somewhere long ago how Velcro was invented from the observation of these plants, but I think that is because reading your question has triggered my memory.

would only be understood by those who are familiar with the word , which I feel like was in my active vocabulary as a kid but is not really there any more.

would probably be the only word that every Japanese-speaker is familiar with.