Plants Poisonous to Livestock
 |
Cocklebur
(Xanthium strumarium)
Cocklebur is an annual plant reproducing only by seeds. The root is a taproot,
woody and stout. Stems are hairy, rough to the touch, erect and reach two to
four feet tall. Stems are branched and frequently spotted with red. Leaves are
alternate and attached to stems by long stems, are simple and vary from
heart-shaped to kidney-shaped. The leaf surface is hairy and rough to the touch.
Flowers are small and green, borne together in clusters in the axils of the
upper leaves. Fruit is a two-seeded bur which is hard, woody and covered with
hooked spines. Cocklebur seedlings have long, narrow cotyledons which taper to a
point at the tip. Seedlings tend to be triple veined at the base, reach a length
of about three inches, are sessile and covered with rough hairs. The first
leaves are opposite, triple veined at the base, with prominent veins and are
covered with rough hairs. Later emerging leaves are alternate.
|
Produced by Communication and Educational Technology Services, University of
Minnesota Extension.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, this material is available in alternative formats upon request. Please contact your University of Minnesota Extension office or the Extension Store at (800) 876-8636.
University of Minnesota Extension is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, or sexual orientation.
The information given in this publication is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by University of Minnesota Extension is implied.
|
