Common Burdock

Arctium minus (Hill) Bernh.
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Status:
State Designated
•
Priority 3
Synonyms:
lesser burdock, wild burdock, bardane, wild rhubarb, beggar’s button

Description

Common burdock is biennial or short-lived perennial in the Asteraceae (daisy/aster) family. In its first year of growth it produces a basal rosette from a large taproot, and in its second year of growth, it produces erect stems from a basal rosette that may be between 3 and 7 feet tall. These stems are thick, grooved, and green to purple in color. Leaves are primarily cordate, have wavy or toothed margins, and have distinct white to pink veins. Common burdock leaves are covered in wooly hairs and are green on the upper leaf surface and white underneath. First year leaves may be small, but second year leaves become large reaching up to 1 foot long. Leaves are arranged alternately and become smaller and more sparse up the stem. Petioles are long and hollow. Common burdock resembles rhubarb in leaf size and shape and overall growth habit, but rhubarb leaves and stems are glabrous. Common burdock flowers from early summer to early fall. Flowers occur in panicles at the ends of stems. Flowers are enclosed in burs with small pink to purple florets emerging from the tops. These burs are approximately 1 inch across and resemble the hook side of Velcro (common burdock was the inspiration for the invention of Velcro). Burs persist on the dead stalks. Seeds are small (6mm) and ridged.

Origin and Spread

Common burdock is native to Europe and was introduced to North America by early colonists as a medicinal plant. It spreads by seeds with the large burs easily attaching to wildlife, livestock, and humans. It is primarily found along roadsides, along edges of woodlands, and other areas where wildlife frequently rub.

Management Options

Prevention and cultural control strategies should be utilized as much as possible.

There are no biological controls for common burdock currently available in Teton County.

Because common burdock has a taproot, it can be readily managed by hand pulling or digging out the root. Mowing or grazing can be helpful in depleting energy stores in the taproot, but common burdock may impact the taste of milk. Do not mow while seeds are present.

Larger infestations can be managed with herbicides. Treatments should be conducted prior to budding. Read the label before using any herbicide. Contact TCWP if you have any questions about application rates or how to use an herbicide.

Treatment Area Recommended Herbicides
Range, Pasture, Natural Areas aminopyralid
Pasture where manure or hay will be used for compost 2,4-D + dicamba
Lawn or landscape 2,4-D + dicamba
Riparian aquatic labeled 2,4-D or glyphosate

Additional Resources