Xanthium strumarium Cocklebur (Compositae)

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Xanthium strumarium
Cocklebur
(1 Page of 5)

The Xanthium strumarium plant species is found in A cosmopolitan plant, a locally established casual in Britain[17]. It is a member of the Compositae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Cocklebur. Some home gardeners know the variety as X. canadense. Mill.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Xanthium strumarium
Common Name:  Cocklebur
Family:  Compositae
Author:  L.

Known Hazards:  Poisonous[65, 76]. Most members of this genus are toxic to grazing animals and are usually avoided by them[222]. The seed also contains toxins[222].

Mature Height:  0.75   Mature Width:  0.4

Habitat:  River banks, lake shores, cultivated ground and pastures[50].

Edible Uses: Leaves and young plants - cooked[2, 105, 177]. They must be thoroughly boiled and then washed[179]. Caution is advised, the plant is probably poisonous[218]. Seed - raw or cooked[212]. It can be used as a piñole[257]. The seed can be ground into a powder and mixed with flour for making bread, cakes etc[105, 257]. The seed contains about 36.7% protein, 38.6% fat, 5.2% ash[179]. It also contains a glucoside[179] and is probably poisonous.

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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