A CURE FOR THE COMMON BURDOCK
The Monday Garden, Eco-gardening at its best
May 29, 2005, Issue 166
A CURE FOR THE COMMON BURDOCK
I used to think that tropical-looking burdock would be great as the star in a garden of pest and drought resistant, edible, native and naturalized plants. Then I found out what happens when burdock gets out of control.
Picture: Common burdock, North Stamford CT, May 2005
BURDOCK FAMILY
Common burdock: Burdock is a member of the composite (daisy) family, like its roadside companions, chicory and dandelions. There are at least three kinds of burdock present in North America, all Eurasian imports. The best know is the "common" or “lesser” burdock (Arctium minus), which is pictured in this article. Common burdock has flower stalks rising knee to shoulder height. Common burdock is reported to be found in all providences of Canada and all parts of the USA mainland except Florida and, perhaps, some areas near the Great Lakes. I believe that it has also found its way into Mexico.