76 



Fig. 29. 

 Burdock, Great Bur, Clot-Bur, or Beggar's Button. 



Arctium lappa (L). 



A biennial weed with tremendous roots, probably the largest of 

 all weed roots. This root is uniform in size for a foot below the sur- 

 face ; further down it is much branched and has a great hold on the 

 ground. The stem is much branched (from 4 to 9 feet high) and 

 rough, with broad rounded leaves, the lower surface of a lighter green 

 than the upper. The flower heads occur in clusters and are purple in 

 color. The flower receptacle, or mvolucre, as it is called, is composed 

 of hooked spines, which are very adhesive and do much injury to the 

 wool of sheep. The seeds are brown, | in. long and spotted with 

 darker brown (Fig. 29). 



Time of flowering, July-September. 



Time of seeding, August-October. 



Dispersal — chiefly by animals carrying the seed from place to 

 place. 



The plant when burnt yields a good quality of alkaline ash, 

 equal to the best potash ; and a decoction from the roots is said to be 

 equal to the juice of Sarsaparilla as a blood purifier, etc. 



Eradication. Cut below the crown with a spud and burn 

 the tops. 



