The "Foxtail" Revolution

In this investigation we had to learn about our specific plant and how we, as humans, can learn from that plant. My elective, Bioneers, helps me understand how humans can learn from plants. I had a bit of difficulty with this project but I'm most proud of the research I did. Going more in depth in the research of the "Foxtail" plant was interesting. I learned the scientific name for "Foxtail" grass, Alopecurus. I have also learned the cautions of "Foxtail", such as its harmful, barbed spikes.

"Foxtail (diaspore)". Wiki. 10 November, 2013. 

"Foxtail Poster". DR. 10 November, 2013.

The Foxtail plant, or Alopecurus, is an annual native grass. Known to just appear in bodies of grass that have been left unattended, Foxtail only comes out from July to September. Its tiny, deadly spikes serve as protection and a hazard for dogs. Its barbed, razor-sharp spikelets are known to pass right through a dog's tissue, piercing the heart, or injuring them exceptionally.

Learning from this plant, we can study it's defensive system. The Foxtail plant can be beneficial in our defensive department. Its spikelets can be used for protection against dangerous stray animals. Instead of implementing scientific, expensive, defenses, why not use "Foxtail" and study how we can improve their defense to help improve ours. Its extremely thin and sharp spike serve as its leading source of protection, can we learn the ways of the Foxtail and use them in a similar way, to upgrade our defense? Using its way of smoothly passing through soft tissue, will it keep any known wildlife threats away?

Applying the uniqueness of the "Foxtail" to our defenses could turn out well. Free defense implemented? Someone call the government!! It may not be as much defense against human beings than against wildlife, but it's still one less thing we have to worry about. If you think about it, "Foxtail" is a nuisance, why not put some use to them? They are all over the U.S., that's just free protection for us,
against other nuisance.

References:

“Foxtail grasses can be lethal to dogs”, Dogheirs Team. 6 November 2013.

“Foxtail Grass”, The Scott’s Company. 6 November, 2013.

"Foxtail Control in Pastures and Hayground", Oregon State University. 8 November, 2013.

"How would Nature solve green building challenges", Biomimicry Institute. 8 November, 2013.

"Plants", Exotic Plants. 8 November, 2013.
"Meadow Foxtail", Plant Materials Handbook. 10 November, 2013.