Lesser Burdock, Beggar's buttons
Arctium minus

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

A herb which keeps growing from year to year. It grows 60-100 cm high. The leaves are heart shaped and have teeth around the edge. The leaves are pointed towards the tip. The leaves near the base have hollow stems. It has a cluster of small flowers. They form heads with very short stalks. There are bracts around these flower heads which are shorter than the flowers. The flower head is purple. There are white styles in the centre.

There are 10 Arctium species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate or Mediterranean climate plant. It grows in waste areas. In Argentina plants grow from sea level to 1,000 m above sea level. Tasmania Herbarium.

Countries/locations it is found in

Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Brazil, Britain, Canada, Chile, Europe, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Mediterranean, North America, Sicily, South America, Spain, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, Uruguay, USA

How it is used for food

The young leaves and leaf stalks are eaten as potherbs. The leaves are used for sarma in Turkey. They are rolled around a filling of rice or minced meat. The young flower stalk is peeled and eaten in salads or cooked like asparagus. The roots are peeled and sliced and eaten with sesame seeds and soy sauce. The roasted and ground roots are used as a coffee substitute

Edible parts

Stems, leaves, roots, flower stalk

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Bardana, Belg girno, Cedones, Ceronera, Cuckoo-button, Dulavratotu, Galabah, Gordolobo, Grass burdock, Guardalobo, Haddock, Hare-burr, Ilapasses, Kuncurk, Lampazo, Misek, Repalassa, Turkey burr seed

Synonyms

Lappa minor Hill.;