FIG. 28. 



BUEDOCK, 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 surface ;; 

 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 recep- 

 tacle, or involucre, 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 f in. long and spotted with darker brown (Fig. 28). 



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.. 



