klits, noun

Origin:
Afrikaans, DutchShow more Afrikaans, adaptation of Dutch klis (see klis grass).
In full klitsgras/-xras/ [Afrikaans gras grass] or klits grass: any of several species of grass having hooked fruits which adhere to all that they touch, especially Tragus racemosus and Setaria verticillata of the Poaceae; klis grass.
1894 R. Marloth in Trans. of S. Afr. Phil. Soc. p.lxxxiThe klitsgrass (Paniceum verticillastre) bears..hooks on its spikelets.
1905 J. Du Plessis 1000 Miles in Heart of Afr. 139Grasses and seeds of evil repute are conspicuous by their abundance, vitality, and pertinacity. Klitsgras may be disregarded and weduwenaars don’t excite much remark.
1917 R. Marloth Dict. of Common Names of Plants 50Klisgras (klits), Setaria verticillata...Other kinds of klits belong to Amarantaceae, e.g., Achyranthes aspera, Cyathula globulifera.
1966 C.A. Smith Common Names 299Klitsgras,..The dense cylindric spike is particularly troublesome in wool and mohair in which it forms compact masses impossible to disentangle.
1977 F.G. Butler Karoo Morning 117He just dragged them along like two feathers of klitsgras towards a shallow hole which he had started digging the day before.
In full klitsgras/-xras/ [Afrikaans gras grass] or klits grass:any of several species of grass having hooked fruits which adhere to all that they touch, especially Tragus racemosus and Setaria verticillata of the Poaceae; klis grass.
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18941977