Giant cocklebur
Xanthium strumarium

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

A stiffly branched annual herb. It is 1.2 m tall. The leaves are alternate and oval or triangle shaped with a heart shaped base. The flower heads are greenish. Male and female flowers are separate but on the same plant. They are 5-6 mm across and in clusters at the side. The fruit are 14-18 mm across.

It contains a glucoside: xanthostrumarium. It has anticancer properties. Chemical composition (seeds): Protein = 36.7%. Fat = 38.6%. Ash = 5.18%. Some Vitamin C. High amino acid values: Glutamic acid = 2.48g per 16g of nitrogen. Phenylalanine = 5.8g per 16g of nitrogen.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It occurs all around the world. It grows in damp places. It grows in wetlands. It needs full sun. It can grow in arid places. In the Himalayas it grows up to 1,800 m above sea level. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Albania, Armenia, Asia, Azerbaijan, Australia, Austria, Balkans, Bangladesh, Botswana, Britain, Bulgaria, Canada, Caribbean, Caucasus, Central Asia, China, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Egypt, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Europe, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Manchuria, Marquesas, Mauritius, Mediterranean, Middle East, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, New Caledonia, Nigeria, North Africa, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Saudi Arabia, Scandinavia, SE Asia, Sicily, Singapore, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tibet, USA, West Africa, West Indies, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

CAUTION: The plant (fruit) has been reported as toxic and damaging to the heart. The seeds have been ground into flour then baked into cakes. The young leaves have been thoroughly boiled and washed then eaten. The young leaves can be stored for 4-5 days after harvesting.

It is cultivated as a vegetable in China. It is sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Leaves, seeds, stem

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Adhasisi, Agara, Aggruppa cudi, Arishta, Banokra, Bardana minuri, Bon okra, Buah anjang, Chhota-gokharu, Chiru, Chota-dhatura, Chota-gokhru, Dutundi, Gadariun, Ghagara, Ghaghra, Gokhru, G'oris birk'a, Gyosa-gauk-pin, Hagra, Kachab, Katsine, Kyat, Lanetsuru, Lepadi, Lokra, Marulamathangi, Maruloomatham, Maruluummatti, Navadni bodič, Ogara, Okra phal, Parak hanthor, Parohanthor, Parok hanthor, Pinle-zi, Shankeshvara, Tsur, Wangan tsuru

Synonyms

Xanthium indicum Koen.; and many others