A caltrop (also known as caltrap, galtrop, cheval trap, galthrap, galtrap, calthrop, jackrock or crow’s foot) is an area denial weapon made up of usually four, but possibly more, sharp nails or spines arranged in such a manner that one of them always points upward from a stable base (for example, a tetrahedron). Historically, caltrops were part of defences that served to slow the advance of troops, especially horses, chariots, and war elephants, and were particularly effective against the soft feet of camels. In modern times, caltrops are effective when used against wheeled vehicles with pneumatic tires.

  • paysrenttobirds
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    10
    ·
    1 month ago

    This is what caltrops means to me

    Dried seed pods absolutely get stuck in your tires, and will pop bike tires.

    • merde alorsOP
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      3
      ·
      1 month ago

      which plant is that?

      i use reinforced tires (specialized armadillo or continental gatorskin) that don’t pop easily

      • paysrenttobirds
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        3
        ·
        1 month ago

        We called it caltrops :) It’s also called puncture vine. It was a nuisance in Arizona, but I didn’t bike a whole lot, so I mainly remember the sound when a bunch of them are stuck in your car tires.

      • gerbler@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        2
        ·
        edit-2
        1 month ago

        Little bastards like this but the size of a peppercorn grow in grass in Australia. We call them bindies and they’re the bane of every child’s sole. Teaches you to not walk barefoot on grass pretty quick.