Arctium minus (Common Burdock)- Biennial

Size:

• First year grows low rosette up to 3 ft across, second year can grow up to 6 feet tall

Leaves:

• Large and heart-shaped with wavy edges; often hairy above and woolly underneath

Stem:

• Tall, sturdy, covered in prickly hooks or burrs; up to 15,000 seeds/plant

Flowers:

• Pink or purple, grow in clusters at the end of branched stems July - September; resemble Canada thistle flowers

Roots:

• Long, slender and deep-growing taproot with a tough exterior and white interior. Will regrow if all the root is not removed.

Seeds:

• Small, oval-shaped and covered in small hooks or burrs (Velcro-like)

Habitat:

• Found in open fields, wastelands, and along roadsides

Control:

• Hand pull or dig when soil is moist, wearing gloves; bag to avoid scattering seeds. Remove first year rosettes. Mowing or cutting the top growth can also be effective. Don’t let it set seeds!