# burdocks (*Arctium*) Burdocks are tall plants with big, fuzzy leaves and purple flowers. They are known for their sticky seed heads that can cling to fur and clothes, making them fun to find in nature! - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 4 - **Habitat:** Grasslands - **Also known as:** Burdock Root ![burdocks](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Villtakjas_2008.jpg&width=800) Photo: Epukas, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Villtakjas_2008.jpg) ## Appearance The burdocks has very large, heart-shaped basal leaves that are deep green above and woolly white underneath. Its tall, branching stems bear distinctive purple, thistle-like flower heads that eventually become prickly, spherical burrs. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Asterales - **Family:** Asteraceae - **Genus:** Arctium ## Interesting facts - Burdock's deep roots can break up tough soil, helping other plants grow! - Burdock's sticky burrs inspired the invention of Velcro! - In Japan, burdock root is a popular vegetable called 'Gobo'! - Some burdock leaves can grow bigger than a dinner plate! ## Special abilities - **Sticky Hitchhiker:** Burdock has hook-covered burrs that stick to fur or clothing, helping it spread seeds far from the parent plant. - **Deep Root Diver:** Burdock grows a very long, strong taproot, allowing it to reach deep underground for water and nutrients. - **Leafy Sun Blocker:** Its enormous leaves create shade, helping burdock outcompete other plants for sunlight and growing space. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 50-200 cm - **Spread:** 30-100 cm - **Flower Size:** 2-4 cm - **Bloom Season:** Summer to early fall - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Biennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Common Eastern Bumblebee (*Bombus impatiens*) — Bumblebees visit burdock flowers for nectar and pollen. - **Eaten by:** Humans (*Homo sapiens*) — People harvest burdock's young roots and leaf stalks as food. - **Eaten by:** [White-tailed Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-tailed-deer) (*Odocoileus virginianus*) — Deer sometimes browse on the tender young leaves of burdock. ## Traits - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Biennial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/biennial): Biennial plants complete their life cycle over two growing seasons, typically forming foliage in the first year and flowering/seeding in the second. - [Summer Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/summer-blooming): Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished. - [Broadleaf Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/broadleaf-tree): Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates. - [Medicinal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/medicinal): Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health. - [Drought Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/drought-tolerant): Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability. - [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low While burdocks are not harmful, be careful of their prickly seed heads when exploring. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify burdocks? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is burdocks? 50-200 cm ### How wide does burdocks spread? 30-100 cm ### How big are the flowers on burdocks? 2-4 cm ### When does burdocks bloom? Summer to early fall ### Is burdocks edible? Yes ### Is burdocks toxic? None ### What is burdocks's lifecycle? Biennial ## Where to spot - [Prospect Park Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/prospect-park-zoo) — New York, US · Zoo - [Chelsea](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chelsea) — New York, US · Neighborhood - [Long Island Motor Parkway](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/long-island-motor-parkway) — New York, US · Park - [Roslyn Village Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/roslyn-village-historic-district) — New York, US · Historic District - [Stone Street](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/stone-street) — New York, US · Historic District - [Fairway Woods Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fairway-woods-park) — Kansas, US · Park [View all places to see burdocks](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/burdocks) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Burdocks: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/burdocks)