Burdock, Lessor Burdock, Little Burdock, Common Burdock, Louse-Bur, Button-Bur, Cuckoo-Button, Wild Rhubarb

Arctium minus

ARK-tee-um  MY-nus

Synonyms of Arctium minus (Hill) Bernh. (36) (Updated on 11-26-23 from Plants of the World Online): Arcion minus Bubani (1899), Arctium batavum Arènes (1950), Arctium chabertii subsp. balearicum Arènes (1950), Arctium conglomeratum Schur ex Nyman, Arctium degeni var. tibidatensis Sennen (1930), Arctium euminus Syme (1866), Arctium lappa var. minus (Hill) A.Gray (1884), Arctium lappa var. pubens (Bab.) Fiori (1904), Arctium lappa subsp. pubens (Bab.) P.D.Sell (2006), Arctium melanoceps (Beger) G.H.Loos (2010), Arctium minus subsp. batavum (Arènes) Lambinon (2004), Arctium minus var. corymbosum Wiegand (1924), Arctium minus var. eu-mediterraneum Arènes (1950)(not validly publ.), Arctium minus subsp. eu-minus (Hill) Syme (1866)(not validly publ.), Arctium minus f. laciniatum Clute (1909), Arctium minus f. leucocephalum House (1923), Arctium minus subsp. mediterraneum Arènes (1950), Arctium minus var. melanoceps Beger (1928), Arctium minus f. pallidum Farw. (1921), Arctium minus subsp. pubens (Bab.) Arènes (1950), Arctium minus subsp. pubens (Bab.) P.Fourn. (1928), Arctium minus subsp. tibidatensis (Sennen) Sennen (1932), Arctium montanum Schweigg. ex Steud. (1840), Arctium nemorosum var. pubens (Bab.) Fiori (1906), Arctium nemorosum subsp. pubens (Bab.) Rothm. (1963), Arctium nemorosum subsp. tchihatchefii Arènes (1950), Arctium pubens Bab. (1856), Arctium tomentosum subsp. pubens (Bab.) Nyman (1889), Bardana minor Hill (1768), Lappa bardana subsp. minor (Hill) Čelak. (1871), Lappa conglomerata Schur (1859), Lappa major subsp. pubens (Boreau) Berher (1887), Lappa minor Hill (1762), Lappa minor var. pubens (Bab.) Gustave & Hérib. (1888), Lappa minor subsp. pubens (Boreau) Corb. (1894), Lappa puberis Boreau (1857), Lappa vulgaris var. minor (Hill) Neilr. (1846)

Arctium minus (Hill) Bernh. is the accepted scientific name for Burdock. It was named and described as such by Johann Jakob Bernhardi in Systematisches Verzeichnis der Pflanzen in 1800. It was first named and described as Lappa minor by John Hill in Vegetable System in 1762.

The genus, Arctium L., was named and described as such by Carl von Linnaeus in the second volume of the first edition of Species Plantarum in 1753.

As of 11-29-23 when this page was last updated, Plants of the World Online by Kew lists 44 accepted species in the Arctium genus. It is a member of the plant family Asteraceae with 1,702 genera. Those numbers could change as updates are made on POWO. The number of genera in this family changes quite often.

The distribution map for Arctium minus above is from Plants of the World Online. Areas in green are where the species is native and purple is where it has been introduced. The map on the USDA Plants Database for North America is similar and also includes Louisiana. The species may be more widespread than the maps show.

The map on iNaturalist shows where members have made observations. Anyone can join and it is a great website to confirm and share your observations. The maps on iNaturalist are continually updated as members post new observations.

THERE ARE A FEW LINKS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE FOR FURTHER READING AND TO HELP WITH A POSITIVE ID.

There is an abundance of Arctium minus (Burdock) here on the farm in a few areas south of the pond where they are partially shaded by the Chinese Elm and Mulberry trees. When I was a kid I always thought it was some kind of wild rhubarb. Well, I guess I was partly right since Wild Rhubarb is one of its common names. Other names include Lessor Burdock, Little Burdock, Common Burdock, Louse-Bur, Button-Bur, Cuckoo-Button. Arctium minus is sometimes confused with rhubarb, which is Rheum rhabarbarum.

The hooked seeds stick in the fur of animals and on clothing which can be hard to remove. A Swiss inventor, George de Mestral, invented the hook and loop fastener after observing the seeds of Burdock. It was originally sold under the Velcro brand name.

Arctium minus is an introduced biennial species from Europe. It can be found to some extent in almost every state in the U.S and provinces in Canada. It is easily identified by its large basal leaves and from its flowers with hooked phyllaries. In the fall and winter, the flowers are replaced by achenes with hooked burs that stick to the fur of animals and clothing. The species is also noted for its deep taproots.

Here on the farm, large colonies grow on the south side of the pond under elm trees and under a couple of mulberry trees just south of the pond along a ditch. They have been here forever. Their preferred environment is fertile loamy slightly moist soil, but they will grow in other soils as well, and can be drought tolerant when necessary. What plant doesn’t like a little moisture?

Flowering plants are sometimes confused with the Common Cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium).

The alternate leaves grow on long petioles with adaxial grooves along the main stem and side branches. The basal (lower) leaves can grow up to 28″ long and 18″ across. They are somewhat ovate, cordate (heart-shaped) at the base, kind of resembling the leaves of rhubarb. The margins are wavy, some may have a few lobes or teeth. The upper surface is glabrous (hairless) but there may be a few hairs on the midribs. The leaves are progressively smaller, with smaller petioles, as they ascend the stems.

Deer occasionally feed on the leaves, but that is uncommon unless there is nothing else to eat. I have noticed the cows sometimes feed on the upper leaves, but that isn’t common either.

Arctium species flower their second year and may not reach maturity until it is four years old. Flowers provide nectar and pollen for several species of bees and butterflies.

The ovoid to globe-shaped flowerheads (involucre) are at least 3/4-1” across with numerous involucral bracts with hooked tips. Inside is a flat receptacle… The entire flower isn’t your typical member of the plant family Asteraceae…

The taproots have a sweet taste and are more favored in Asian dishes. According to the Wikipedia page, Burdock contains a fair amount of dietary fiber, calcium, potassium, amino acids, and is low in calories. It contains polyphenol oxidase which causes it to darken and give it somewhat of a muddy taste. There is more information about the genus which you can read by clicking on the Wikipedia link below.

<<<<2021>>>>

The stems of Arctium minus are rather stout and can grow to around 6’ tall in optimum conditions. Second year plants branch out mainly in the upper half. The stems are ridged, often reddish in color, and have small minute hairs, sometimes cobwebby looking, mainly toward the tips.

The main stem and side branches terminate with clusters of flowerheads.

There are no ray florets, but there are 20-40 disc florets with 5-lobed corollas, 5 stamens that grow together, white filaments, purple anthers, forked styles, and so on… Very hard to explain…

The narrow achenes (seeds) and have burs on the tips from withered bracts. These get stuck in the fur of animals and clothing. I need to get photos…

Long-tongues bees, such as bumblebees, honeybees, miner bees, and leaf-cutting bees, are the primary source of pollination. Caterpillars of several moths bore through through the stems and feed on the pith. The leaves are a food source for the caterpillars of Painted Lady butterfly.

I will work on taking better photos, and close-ups, in 2024.

I live on a small farm in Windsor, Missouri where I enjoy gardening, collecting plants, and identifying wildflowers. The farm is in Pettis County but Henry County is across the street, and Benton and Johnson aren’t far away. I have grown over 500 different plants and identified over 250 species of wildflowers (most have pages listed on the right side of the page). I am not an expert, botanist, or horticulturalist. I just like growing, photographing and writing about my experience. I rely on several websites for ID and a horticulturalist I contact if I cannot figure them out. Wildflowers can be somewhat variable from location to location, so sometimes it gets a bit confusing. If you see I have made an error, please let me know so I can correct what I have written.

I hope you found this page useful and be sure to check the links below for more information. They were written by experts and provide much more information. If you can, I would appreciate it if you would click on the “Like” below and leave a comment. It helps us bloggers stay motivated. You can also send an email to me at thebelmontrooster@yahoo.com. I would enjoy hearing from you.

FOR FURTHER READING:
PLANTS OF THE WORLD ONLINE (GENUS/SPECIES)
INTERNATIONAL PLANT NAMES INDEX (GENUS/SPECIES)
TROPICOS (GENUS/SPECIES)
FLORA OF MISSOURI (GENUS/SPECIES)
FLORA OF NORTH AMERICA (GENUS/SPECIES)
WORLD FLORA ONLINE (GENUS/SPECIES)
WIKIPEDIA (GENUS/SPECIES)
MISSOURI PLANTS
iNATURALIST
MSU-MIDWEST WEEDS AND WILDFLOWERS
USDA PLANTS DATABASE
ILLINOIS WILDFLOWERS
MINNESOTA WILDFLOWERS
THE NATIONAL GARDENING ASSOCIATION
KANSAS WILDFLOWERS AND GRASSES
WILDFLOWER SEARCH
UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA

NOTE: The data (figures, maps, accepted names, etc.) may not match on these websites. It depends on when and how they make updates and when their sources make updates. Some websites have hundreds and even many thousands of species to keep up with. Accepted scientific names change periodically and it can be hard to keep with as well. Some of the links may use a name that is a synonym on other sites. In my opinion, Plants of the World Online by Kew is one of the most reliable and up-to-date plant databases and they make updates on a regular basis. I make updates “at least” once a year and when I write new pages or add new photos but I do get behind. We are all a work in progress. 🙂