| common cocklebur | USDA PLANTS Symbol: XAST U.S. Nativity: Native Habit: Forbs/Herbs |
| Xanthium strumarium L. |
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Taxonomic Rank: Magnoliopsida: Asterales: Asteraceae |
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| Synonym(s): cocklebur, cockleburr, rough cocklebur | |
Common cocklebur is an annual herb, with several regional varieties, native to North America. Historically, the seeds were eaten by the Carolina parakeet, which is now extinct. Plants can reach 5 ft. (1.5 m) tall with thick, reddish or black spotted stems. Leaves are alternate, triangular, weakly 3-lobed and 1.2-7 in. (3-18 cm) long. Flowering occurs in July to October when flowers develop in the axils of the leaves. Fruit are ellipsoid burs. Burs are 0.6-1.4 in. (1.5-3.5 cm) long, green to yellowish brown and covered with projecting, stout prickles. Cocklebur occurs in ditches, fields, riparian areas, pastures, croplands, seasonal wetlands and other disturbed areas. Seeds and seedlings are toxic to livestock. |
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Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources
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| Selected Images from Invasive.org | View All Images at Invasive.org |
 Fruit(s); Jan Samanek, State Phytosanitary Administration, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Fruit(s); Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Fruit(s); Jan Samanek, State Phytosanitary Administration, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Stem(s); Rebekah D. Wallace, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); Bruce Ackley, The Ohio State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Seedling(s); John D. Byrd, Mississippi State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Fruit(s); immature fruit David J. Moorhead, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Foliage; Bruce Ackley, The Ohio State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Fruit(s); Jan Samanek, State Phytosanitary Administration, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); Jan Samanek, State Phytosanitary Administration, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Feature(s); burs Forest & Kim Starr, Starr Environmental, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Seed(s); Steve Hurst, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); Jan Samanek, State Phytosanitary Administration, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Infestation; David J. Moorhead, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Foliage; David J. Moorhead, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); USDA NRCS. Wetland flora: Field office illustrated guide to plant species. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Seed(s); Jan Samanek, State Phytosanitary Administration, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Fruit(s); Cross-section of a bur showing the two fruit cavities, the uppermost with a seed inside. D. Walters and C. Southwick, CPHST, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Fruit(s); Disseminule. Note numerous hook-tipped spines and pair of beaks. D. Walters and C. Southwick, CPHST, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
| EDDMapS Distribution: This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts and records obtained from USDA Plants Database. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org Alternative content
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 State(s) Where Reported invasive. Based on state level agency and organization lists of invasive plants from WeedUS database. Alternative content
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| Invasive Listing Sources: |
| Tennessee Exotic Pest Plant Council |
| Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, 2009 |
