Canada cocklebur

Xanthium commune

Physical Characteristics

Xanthium commune is a ANNUAL growing to 1.5 m (5ft). It is in flower from July to October, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

Eastern N. America - southwards from Quebec and Saskatchewan.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Seed Edible Uses: Seed[161]. It is dried, then ground into a powder and mixed with cereal flours when making bread, biscuits etc[161]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Medicinal Uses

None known

Known Hazards

Poisonous[65, 76]. Most members of this genus are toxic to grazing animals and are usually avoided by them[222]. The seed also contains toxins[222].