COMMON BURDOCK, Arctium
minus (Hill) Bernh. 1, root; 2, crown and first-year
leaf; 3, upper part of second-year growth; 4, seed. Biennial,
reproducing by seed only. Taproot large, fleshy, living over one
winter. Stem a crown close to the soil surface the first year; the
second year much branched, 3 to 5 feet (0.9 to 1.5 m) tall, hairy, and
somewhat grooved or angular. Leaves large, with heart-shaped base,
covered with hairs; the first year forming a dense rosette, the second
year distributed alternately on stem with the larger leaves near the base.
Flower heads made up of numerous small red-violet disk flowers
surrounded by numerous hooked bracts which later form a bur about 1/2 inch
(1.3 cm) in diameter. Seeds rather rough, mottled dark gray, about
1/4 inch (6 mm) long. Found in waste places where soil is productive
and not disturbed. Not commonly found in cultivated areas.
GREAT BURDOCK, Arctium lappa L. Similar
in appearance to above but larger in all respects. Much less common in
our region.
