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starburr
Scientific Name: Acanthospermum
Family: Asteraceae
Category: Dicot
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
Bristly Starbur (Acanthospermum hispidum)
Acanthospermum hispidum, commonly known as bristly starbur or goat's head, is an annual plant with a history in tropical America.
Considerations for Pets
- The plant produces burs that can cling to fur.
- Acanthospermum hispidum contains a hepatotoxin.
Considerations for Children
- The plant produces burs that can cling to clothing and skin.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Acanthospermum hispidum DC.
- Family: Asteraceae
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Taxonomic Rank: Species
- Synonyms: The text refers to another species, Acanthospermum australe (Paraguayan starburr), and mentions Melampodium australe as a synonym of it. Acanthospermum xanthioides is also a synonym for Acanthospermum australe.
- Common Names: bristly starbur, bristly star-bur, bristly starburr, goathead, goat's head, hispid starburr, starbur, upright starbur, Texas cockspur, Paraguay bur, Sheepbur, Spiny-bur
- Other Languages: corona de la reina cuagrilla (Spanish), herbe savane (French), Telugu (Palleru), Marathi (Landga)
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to Central and South America.
- Introduced in many other parts of the world.
- Occurs occasionally in Massachusetts.
- Found in pastures, for example, in Eldoret, Kenya, Africa.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Annual erect herb growing up to 90 cm high.
- Stems have multicelled stiff hairs.
- Leaves are opposite, ovate to elliptic, and hairy.
- Leaf margins are toothed or lobed, sometimes almost entire.
- Exhibits regular dichotomous branching.
- Has a shallow, branched taproot.