Cocklebur (
Xanthium strumarium) is a course, erect, annual plant belonging to the Asteraceae (Sunflower) family. Cocklebur is most dangerous when it is first emerging. During this stage of growth the plant contains higher levels of toxins and is more attractive to ruminants.
Cocklebur Toxic Components
The primary toxin in cocklebur is carboxyatractyloside, a sulfated glycoside.
What Cocklebur Looks Like
Cocklebur is native to North America and Eurasia. Cocklebur attributes:
- Height: Grows to about 3 feet tall
- Young plants Seedlings appear as a whitish-green stem with two strap-shaped green leaves.
- Leaves: Alternate, rough, broadly triangular to heart-shaped leaves.
- Stems: Round to slightly rubbed, covered with short white hairs along the surface, and are often speckled with purple.
- Fruits: Small, hard, oval-shaped, 2-chambered burs that are covered with strong, hooked spines.
- Flowers: Two types of flowers can grow, depending on whether the plant is male or female. Male plants produce short, terminal branches of flowers along the upper half of the plant. Each male compound flower occurs on a short pedicel and is slightly rounded at the top. Female plants develop clusters of flowers within the axils of the leaves, in the lower half of the plant. Each female compound flower contains 2 pistillate florets, which are nearly enclosed by a prickly floral bract with a bur-like appearance. The female compound flowers are initially green, but turn brown as they mature and are slow to detach from the racemes. Both flower types bloom during the later summer or early fall.
- Root System: Stout, rather woody taproot.
