# Lesser Burdock (*arctium minus*)

Lesser Burdock has large green leaves that can grow very big! It produces interesting burrs that can stick to your clothes and fur!

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger
- **Snaps:** 2
- **Habitat:** Lesser Burdock typically grows in disturbed areas, along roadsides, and in fields.
- **Also known as:** Burdock, Common Burdock, Wild Burdock

![Lesser Burdock](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Arctium_minus_corimbo.jpg&width=800)

Photo: CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Arctium_minus_corimbo.jpg)

## Appearance

The Lesser Burdock has very large, heart-shaped leaves with wavy edges and fuzzy undersides. Its small, purplish-pink, thistle-like flowers grow in clusters and mature into distinctive prickly burrs.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Asterales
- **Family:** Asteraceae
- **Genus:** Arctium

## Interesting facts

- It can grow taller than a child, sometimes reaching heights of up to 5 feet!
- Its roots, stems, and young leaves are all edible and packed with nutrients!
- The genius design of its burrs directly inspired the creation of Velcro, a sticky invention!
- Traditional medicine has used Burdock root for centuries, believing it helps purify the body.

## Special abilities

- **Hitchhiker Seeds:** Lesser Burdock has hook-tipped burrs that attach to fur or clothing, helping it spread seeds far and wide.
- **Deep Taproot:** Lesser Burdock can grow a long, sturdy taproot to reach deep water and nutrients, thriving in dry soils.
- **Rapid Growth:** Lesser Burdock quickly grows large leaves, shading out other plants and dominating disturbed areas.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 30-150 cm
- **Spread:** 30-60 cm
- **Flower Size:** 1-2 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Summer to fall (July-October)
- **Edible:** Yes
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Biennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** European honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Bees visit its purple flowers for nectar and pollen.
- **Depends on:** [domestic dog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/domestic-dog) (*Canis familiaris*) — Its burrs cling to dog fur, getting carried to new places.
- **Eaten by:** thistle tortoise beetle (*Cassida rubiginosa*) — This beetle's larvae feed on Burdock leaves.
- **Eaten by:** [human](https://www.snappit.app/explore/human) (*Homo sapiens*) — Humans sometimes forage its roots and young leaves.

## Traits

- [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [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.
- [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
- [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.

## Collections

- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)

## Safety

**Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger

No special safety notes yet.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Lesser Burdock?

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 Lesser Burdock?

30-150 cm

### How wide does Lesser Burdock spread?

30-60 cm

### How big are the flowers on Lesser Burdock?

1-2 cm

### When does Lesser Burdock bloom?

Summer to fall (July-October)

### Is Lesser Burdock edible?

Yes

### Is Lesser Burdock toxic?

None

### What is Lesser Burdock's lifecycle?

Biennial

## Where to spot

- [Boerner Botanical Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/boerner-botanical-gardens) — Wisconsin, US · Botanical Garden
- [Ice Age Trail](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ice-age-trail) — Wisconsin, US · National Park
- [Madison Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/madison-park) — Washington, US · Park

[View all places to see Lesser Burdock](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/lesser-burdock)

## 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*)

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Source: [Lesser Burdock: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lesser-burdock)