How to Grow and Care for Burdock

Lesser burdock (Arctium minus) grows flower bracts similar to those of thistle with small hooks arrayed all about to help it spread its seeds. If the hooks look like Velcro, that's no surprise; burdocks were reportedly the original inspiration for the fastener material. With adequate preparation, the roots are edible. The lesser burdock is also an important food source for painted lady butterfly caterpillars.

The woolly burdock, also referred to as Downy Burdock, is a tall, biennial plant native to Europe and Asia. Like other burdocks, its flowers turn into large, hooked burrs when they are mature. These can catch on the coats of mammals, which helps the plant spread. Woolly burdock has been introduced in the Americas, where it is considered an invasive species.

The root of Arctium lappaceum is widely used as food in Japan, Korea, and China, and it was an important source of food in Europe during the Middle Ages. Although edible, the hairs of Arctium lappaceum can cause dermal irritation. Arctium lappaceum is an invasive weed in high-nitrogen soils.

Harelock, also known as burdock, can be found around the world. The roots can be eaten and have been used to make soft drinks and tea. Harelock's hooked spines were reportedly the inspiration for the invention of Velcro.