Seasonal Wild Flowers

Greater Burdock

Arctium lappa

Great Burdock

Asteraceae

July to October

It is found throughout the country except for large parts of

the North.

See the BSBI distribution map for Greater Burdock

It is an archaeophyte which is widely naturalised by

streams and rivers, roads, tracks and paths, on waste

land, field margins and disturbed land.

Greater Burdock is a, perennial herb, growing up to 1.5m.

The flowerhead is up to 4cm on long stalks (compared with

Florets are white above and purple below.

Florets are shorter than the green bracts (compared with

Leaves are large, up to 40cm and the upper sides are

slightly cottony.

Petioles are furrowed.

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Greater Burdock, Ham Hill, Somerset

Long flower stems of Greater Burdock

Opening flowerhead with burr hooks

Open flowerhead

Flat top to flowerhead, green bracts

Flat flowerhead - long bracts

Leaf

Furrowed petioles