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Xanthium commune - Britton.

Common Name Canada cocklebur
Family Asteraceae or Compositae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
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].
Habitats Low ground, stream banks, waste places, cultivated land etc[43].
Range Eastern N. America - southwards from Quebec and Saskatchewan.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Full sun
Xanthium commune Canada cocklebur


Robin R. Buckallew @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
Xanthium commune Canada cocklebur
USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. 3 vols. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York. Vol. 3

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Xanthium commune is a ANNUAL growing to 1.5 m (5ft). It is in flower from July to October, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Seed
Edible Uses:

Seed[161]. It is dried, then ground into a powder and mixed with cereal flours when making bread, biscuits etc[161]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it is likely to succeed outdoors in many parts of the country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils but requires a sunny position. Plants often self sow.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

Seed - sow spring in situ. The seed requires plenty of moisture in order to germinate.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Xanthium spinosumSpiny CockleburAnnual0.5 6-9  LMHNM010
Xanthium strumariumCocklebur, Rough cocklebur, Canada cockleburAnnual0.8 6-9  LMHNDM132

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

Britton.

Botanical References

43

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

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