Xanthium strumarium
Common name
Noogoora bur, rough cocklebur
Family
Asteraceae
Flora category
Vascular – Exotic
Structural class
Herbs - Dicotyledonous composites
Conservation status
Not applicable
Habitat
Disturbed ground, stream banks, riparian areas.
Features
Large, broad leaves, bright green in colour in an alternate pattern with irregular lobes and relatively inconspicuous teeth. Stems turn maroon to black when mature. Greenish yellow grapelike clusters of male flowers are produced on a stalk at the leaf axils. Female flowers are smaller at first, just below male, becoming the “bur” fruits.
Flowering
Late summer/autumn
Flower colours
Green, Yellow
Year naturalised
1894
Origin
N. temperate regions, C. and S. America