1 84 COMMON WEEDS 



plant, with an extensively creeping, fleshy rootstock 

 (Fig. 51), from which flowering stems are sent up 

 during the early spring months (February to May) 

 before the leaves appear. The flowers are pinkish or 

 dull lilac, in head-like panicles on a short, fleshy stalk. 

 The male and female flowers are usually in different 

 heads. As in the case of Coltsfoot, the leaves follow 

 the flowers ; they are very large up to 3 feet across 

 resembling those of rhubarb, and borne on long 

 stalks ; they are white and cottony beneath. The 

 common name is said to have been derived from the 

 fact that the large leaves were formerly used for the 

 purpose of wrapping up butter, but there are no 

 tl burs " on the plant. 



The Butter-bur occurs in damp, wet meadows, in 

 low-lying land near streams and rivers, especially on 

 sandy and clayey soils, where it is sometimes a serious 

 pest. It has been described as " the largest, and, 

 where it abounds, the most pernicious of all the weeds 

 which this country produces " (Johns). 



This weed must be attacked by cutting down the 

 flowering stems to prevent seeding, and later by per- 

 sistent cutting of the large leaves to prevent the manu- 

 facture and storage of food for the future use of the 

 plants. Cut surfaces after spudding might be treated 

 with a pinch of sulphate of ammonia, sulphate of iron, 

 or sulphate of copper (bluestone). Where it can be 

 carried out, drainage is of use ; very small patches 

 may be grubbed out, but as the root system is exten- 

 sive and deep seated, this plan is too costly on large 

 areas ; spraying with a solution of copper sulphate 

 might be tried, as the leaves are so large and rough they 

 would be likely to retain the liquid, but cutting is prob- 

 ably simpler and quicker. Improvement of the herb- 

 age by manurial treatment tends to reduce the weed. 



