Burdock, common, Arctium minus
Weed Control Options 
Life Cycle
Biennial.Propagation
Reproducing only by seed.Stems
Stems erect, 60-180cm high, often widely branched, thick, hollow and grooved lengthwise.Leaves
FIRST YEAR PLANTS:First leaves in a basal rosette, becoming large (up to 50cm long and 30cm wide), with heart-shaped base, coarse and resembling a clump of cultivated rhubarb. The undersides of the leaf blades are
white woolly and the stout leafstalks are hollow.
SECOND YEAR PLANTS:
The lower leaves on the stem of second-year plants similar to basal leaves, smaller, alternate (1 per node. The middle and upper leaves gradually smaller with shorter, slender stalks and the blade tending to be less heart-shaped and more pointed towards both ends, especially among the flower heads.
Flowers and Fruit
Flower heads globular, numerous, borne singly on short stalks or in small clusters at ends of branches and from axils of leaves. Each head is about 2cm in diameter and densely covered with purplish, hooked bristles. Ray florets are absent; disk florets purple or occasionally white and closely packed in the centre of the head. At maturity the head or bur (hence the common name "burdock") easily breaks off its stalk and clings to clothing and animal fur, gradually scattering the brownish angular seeds, each about 6mm long. Flowers from July to September.Habitat
Common burdock occurs throughout Ontario in waste places, pastures, open woods, roadsides, fencerows and barnyards. In cultivated fields, common burdock will generally persist along the field headlands but has been known to creep into the middle of a field, particularly when minimum or "no-till" cropping systems are practiced.Media Items
Figure 1: A. Rosette of leaves B. End of flowering branch Top
Figure 2: Cotyledon Top
Figure 3: 2 leaf seedling plant Top
Figure 4: Rosette of leaves Top
Figure 5: Leaf of burdock. Top
Figure 6: Purple flower of common burdock Top
Figure 7: Mature flowering plant Top
Figure 8: Top
Figure 9: Bur Top