| Botanical Name |
Xanthium strumarium |
| Common Name |
Cocklebur, Rough cocklebur |
| Family |
Asteraceae - Aster |
| Description |
This annual native grows worldwide. Its erect stems and alternate, triangular, light green leaves are very rough to the touch. The leaves are rough on both sides, toothed and grow on long petioles. The stems are purplish-green. |
| Mature Size |
About 2’ |
| Bloom |
In late summer, numerous small white or green flowers appear in the axils of the upper leaves. The fruits are oval, about 1” long, woody and have hooked spines. They are easily dispersed by animals. |
| Interesting Facts |
The seeds and seedlings contain a substance that is toxic to livestock, sometimes causing death. When an animal swallows the burs, injury to the digestive tract can happen. When burs are found in wool, its value depreciates. |
| Traditional and Medicinal Uses |
In the past, parts of this plant were used to treat fever, epilepsy, cuts, diarrhea, vomiting, urinary disorders, snakebites and arthritis. It has also been used to repel armyworms and other pests from domesticated plants. The burs have been used as “darts” in a cocklebur dart game. The genus name, Xanthium means yellow in Greek. One source of information says that parts of this plant have been used to make a yellow dye. |
