SafePlants

Greater Burdock (Arctium lappa)

Arctium lappa, commonly known as greater burdock, is a biennial plant with a rich history of use as both a food source and a medicinal herb. It is also known by several other common names, including edible burdock, lappa, beggar's buttons, thorny burr, happy major, gob?, sticky willie, great bur, and great burdocks.

Considerations for Pets

• The plant is sometimes called "thorny burr," and its seedheads are known to be brown and sticky, attaching themselves to fur.

Considerations for Children

• The plant is sometimes called "thorny burr," and its seedheads are known to be brown and sticky, attaching themselves to clothing.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Arctium lappa L.
• Family: Asteraceae (also known as Compositae or Daisy Family)
• Synonyms: Arctium majus, Arcion majus, Arcion tomentosum, Lappa glabra, Lappa major

Distribution and Habitat

• Greater Burdock is native to Eurasia.
• It has been introduced to North America and is now found throughout Europe, Africa, northern Asia, the United States, and Canada.
• It commonly grows in scrub, woodlands, roadside verges, and along ditches.

Morphology and Growth Habits

• Greater Burdock is a biennial plant typically growing between 0.6-2.7 meters (2-9 ft) tall. Some sources state it can grow up to 10 feet (3 meters) tall.
• It features large, dark green, ovate leaves that can grow up to 28 inches (71 cm) long. The leaves are described as large and coarse, resembling rhubarb leaves. Lower leaves are large and tapering.
• The plant has a thick, grooved stalk.
• Flowers are reddish-purple and arranged in globose heads 20 to 25 mm (35 to 42 mm in fruit) surrounded by curving hooked bracts.
• The plant is cultivated for its slender roots, which are crispy and have a sweet, mild, though pungent flavor.

Quirky Facts

• The stickery seeds can be sprouted and used as buttons.
• In Finnish, it is called "isotakiainen," and in Chinese, "??" (Nibng).

Uses and Interactions

• The root is used as a vegetable and medicinal herb.
• It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine and as a food in parts of Asia, including Japan and Taiwan.
• It's also used externally for skin conditions like eczema, rashes, hives, and for inflammatory conditions and wounds.

Additional Resources

• WebMD: Provides patient medical information on burdock, including uses, effectiveness, side effects, and safety.
• RHS: Offers help and information on Arctium lappa.
• Discover Life: Features a page about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Arctium lappa.
• Wikimedia Commons: Contains media files related to Greater Burdock.