Arctium minus (Hill) Bernh. Asteraceae (Aster family)
Plant forms a large-leaved basal rosette in the first year. Leaves are large, alternate, wavy and broadest at the base with hollow petioles. The upper leaf surface is dark green; the undersurface is light green and woolly.
Hollow, hairy, grooved stems elongate from the rosette during the second year. Stems are branched and can grow to 5 feet tall.
Flowers and fruit
Purple flower heads are encircled by hook-like bracts that dry to form a bur. The seed is enclosed in the burs, which make dissemination easy by attaching to fur or clothing.
Print a PDF of this page: Common burdock
The MSU IPM Program maintains this site as an access point to pest management information at MSU. The IPM Program is administered within the Department of Entomology, fueled by research from the AgBioResearch, delivered to citizens through MSU Extension, and proud to be a part of Project GREEEN.