Greater Burdock is a
non-native
biennial plant of the UK, typically found growing in verges and waste ground, to a mature height of up to 300cm.
Burdock takes its name from the prickly burrs on its seedheads, used to aid seed dispersal by catching onto birds and animals coming into contact with the plant. Greater Burdock is a non-native plant in the UK, unlike the related Lesser Burdock, which is native. Greater Burdock may be distinguished from Lesser Burdock by: its taller height; larger lower leaves; longer flower stalks; larger flowerheads; and aligned placement of flowerheads into flat-topped clusters.
Botanic classification and naming: Greater Burdock is a member of the Daisy (Asteraceae) family. The genus name
'Arctium' identifies the plant as a Burdock, a plant with burrs covering its seedheads and its species name 'lappa' means 'burred'.
Concerns: Burdock burrs are sometimes eaten by horses and can cause significant damage to the digestive system. Burrs are also reported to ensnare birds, causing death.
Benefits: Burdock provides nectar and pollen for Honey bees in mid-summer, at a time when sources are diminished. Caterpillars of several species of butterfly and moth also feed on this plant.
Benefits to wildlife are also indicated with orange icons in the plant profile bar at the top.
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