# rough cocklebur (*Xanthium strumarium*) The rough cocklebur is a plant with big, spiky seed pods. It grows in sunny places and can be found in fields and along roadsides. Its unique look makes it easy to spot! - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Fields and roadsides ![rough cocklebur](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Xanthium_strumarium_L..jpg&width=800) Photo: Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Xanthium_strumarium_L..jpg) ## Appearance The rough cocklebur is a sturdy plant with thick, reddish-green stems and broad, heart-shaped leaves that feel rough to the touch. Its most striking feature is the numerous oval-shaped burrs, covered in stiff, hooked spines, which mature from green to brown. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Asterales - **Family:** Asteraceae - **Genus:** Xanthium ## Interesting facts - It is one of the top causes of hay fever due to its abundant wind-blown pollen! - Its buried seeds can survive for over 10 years, just waiting for a chance to grow! - The cocklebur's amazing hooked burrs inspired the invention of super-sticky Velcro! - This plant is often one of the first to grow in disturbed soil, like a pioneer! ## Special abilities - **Travel Hitchhiker:** Rough cocklebur has tough, spiky burrs that cling to fur or clothes, helping its seeds travel far and wide to new growing spots. - **Tough Survivor:** Rough cocklebur can grow in poor soils and disturbed areas, quickly establishing itself where other plants struggle. - **Chemical Shield:** The rough cocklebur produces toxic compounds, especially in its young plants, to deter hungry animals from eating it. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 30-150 cm - **Spread:** 30-90 cm - **Flower Size:** 0.5-1 cm - **Bloom Season:** Late summer to fall - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** High - **Lifecycle:** Annual - **Pollination Method:** Wind ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Cattle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cattle) (*Bos taurus*) — Young seedlings are highly toxic to grazing livestock. - **Depends on:** [White-tailed deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-tailed-deer) (*Odocoileus virginianus*) — Deer help spread seeds by carrying burrs on their fur. - **Eaten by:** Cocklebur Leafminer (*Phytomyza xanthii*) — Its larvae feed by tunneling inside the leaves of the plant. ## Traits - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [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. - [Rapid Growing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/rapid-growing): Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period. - [Spiky/Thorny](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spiky-thorny): Possessing sharp, pointed projections or spines on the body or surface. - [Invasive](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/invasive): Invasive species are non-native organisms that cause harm to the environment, economy, or human health. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Be careful not to touch the spiky seed pods, as they can be sharp. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify rough cocklebur? 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 rough cocklebur? 30-150 cm ### How wide does rough cocklebur spread? 30-90 cm ### How big are the flowers on rough cocklebur? 0.5-1 cm ### When does rough cocklebur bloom? Late summer to fall ### Is rough cocklebur edible? No ### Is rough cocklebur toxic? High ### What is rough cocklebur's lifecycle? Annual ## Where to spot - [Toadstool Geologic Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/toadstool-geologic-park) — Nebraska, US · Nature Reserve - [Garfield Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/garfield-park) — Illinois, US · Botanical Garden - [Pine Hill Ecological Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/pine-hill-ecological-reserve) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [Pomme de Terre Wildlife Management Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/pomme-de-terre-wildlife-management-area) — Louisiana, US · Park - [Northerly Island](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/northerly-island) — Illinois, US · Natural Landmark - [Fuller County Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fuller-county-park) — Michigan, US · Park [View all places to see rough cocklebur](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/rough-cocklebur) ## 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: [Rough Cocklebur: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rough-cocklebur)