- Burdock: origin and properties
- Native species of burdock
- Planting and caring for burdocks in the garden
- Uses and Effects of Burdocks
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Burdocks are native bee-friendly plants that are also edible and have medicinal properties.
Dog owners can sing a song about the tedious work of picking the inflorescences and seeds of burdock (Actrium) out of the fur of their beloved four-legged friend after a long walk . Incidentally, these adhesive residues served as a model for the Velcro fastener. The rest of the plant also impresses with its properties. In this article you will find a profile on burdock, instructions for planting it in your own garden and some information on the use and effect of burdock roots and other parts of the plant.
Burdock: origin and properties
The burdock genus (Arctium), which is part of the daisy family (Asteraceae), includes only ten to fourteen species. Most of these are native and naturally occurring in Eurasia and North Africa, although burdocks are now widespread around the world. The Latin genus name Arctium is probably derived from the ancient Greek word for bear, since the flowers are said to remind of their felty fur.
burdocks are usually biennial. This means they germinate in spring, for example, but only form a rosette of leaves in the first year that survives the winter. The inflorescence with flower heads only develops in the second year. With the seed ripening, the burdock completes its development and the plant dies. However, if the burdock grows in a particularly favorable location or if it is prevented from flowering, a plant can also be more than two years old.
Depending on the species, burdocks can grow to a height of 50 to 300 cm. They are characterized above all by their almost spherical, pink inflorescences, which are composed of many individual tubular flowers and which can usually be admired from July to September. Also known are their characteristic infructescences, which like to stick to clothing or dog fur. as wellcharacteristic, if not visible, is the strong taproot of burdocks, which reaches up to one meter into the ground. It has long been harvested primarily for its medicinal properties.
Burdocks are native bee-friendly plants. Many different insects, such as bumblebees, (wild) bees and butterflies, meet here at pollination time. If you're looking for more bee-friendly plants to add to your garden, check out our article on bee-friendly perennials for more examples.
How does burdock spread? Burdocks reproduce by seeds. These can either fall directly to the ground in the fall, where they will germinate the following spring. Alternatively, the infructescence of the burdock, the heads consisting of several seeds, stick with their small hooks in the fur of passing animals. This is how they are transported to a new location.
Native species of burdock
The genus of burdock includes between ten and fourteen species. Here we present four species that are among the most common in our region.
Lesser burdock (Arctium minus)
Contrary to its name, the small burdock can grow to a height of 1.5 to 2 m. The leaves of the lesser burdock are not really small either. For example, the basal leaves of the rosette can grow up to 60 cm long. In contrast to most other types of burdock, the lesser burdock prefers lime-poor to lime-free soil. A distinguishing feature to the greater burdock are the leaf stalks. These are hollow in Arctium minus, whereas in Arctium lappa they are filled with pith. The young plant parts of the lesser burdock are edible and are said to taste similar to artichokes when cooked.
Great burdock (Arctium lappa)
The greater burdock, also known as the burdock, is probably one of the best-known species and is relatively high at 80 to 100 cm. The rosette leaves of the greater burdock, which are up to 50 cm long, offer shady protection for many beetles and other types of insects, and the flowers of the greater burdock are also very attractive to bees, bumblebees and the like. The same applies to the other types of burdock presented here. When growing burdocks, a variety of the subspecies Arctium lappa var. sativa is usually used to harvest the root. Thisis characterized by particularly long, unbranched roots.
Felt burdock (Arctium tomentosum)
The felt burdock grows to a height of between 60 and 120 cm and its egg-heart-shaped leaves are usually covered with grey-white hairs on the underside. The plant, also known as felted burdock, can be immediately distinguished from the other species of the genus by the inflorescences. As the name suggests, the felt burrs are covered with a grey-white, woolly felt. Felt Burdock is also edible and can be used in the same way as Greater Burdock.
Arctium nemorosum
The burdock is very similar to the lesser burdock and it is difficult to distinguish between them. The branches of the inflorescence, which are more outwardly curved in Arctium nemorosum, stand stiffly upright in Lesser Burdock, for example. In good locations, the grove burdock can grow up to 250 cm high and thus significantly higher than the small burdock. There are also differences in the location requirements, because grove burdocks tolerate shade better and prefer calcareous soil.
Planting and caring for burdocks in the garden
Growing burdocks in your garden is not difficult and will help provide food and shelter for insects. Burdocks feel most comfortable in sunny to partially shaded locations with fresh, nutrient-rich soil. Above all, it is important that it is profound, humorous and permeable. Burdocks can be sown directly outdoors. This can be done either in autumn immediately after the seeds have ripened or in spring from April to June. If you sow seeds early in autumn, the burdock may germinate directly and survive the winter as a rosette of leaves. Then it is possible that it will immediately lead to the elongation of the stem and the flower.
Planting burdocks: procedure
- Prepare the soil well by clearing it of weeds and creating a finely crumbly seedbed. Sandy soils can, for example, be upgraded with our peat-free Plantura organic universal soil or some mature, low-nutrient compost.
- It makes sense to use the substrateto be moistened well before sowing.
- The burdock seeds are sown about 1 cm deep about 30 cm apart.
- The seed is then covered thinly with soil, pressed down a little and watered slightly.
- It takes 3 to 4 weeks for germination. During this time the seed should never dry out.
- The germinated plants can be spaced 20 to 25 cm apart in the row.
If the location is right, burdock plants hardly need any care. Burdocks should only be watered again and again during long periods of drought. Anyone who grows burdock to harvest the root should ensure a consistently good water supply for higher yields. Fertilization at the start of growth, i.e. around March, and summer fertilization in June are sufficient if a solid fertilizer is used. This can be done, for example, with our Plantura organic universal fertilizer with a long-term effect. It is completely animal-free and has a high proportion of organic components, which has a positive effect on soil structure and life. This gives the burdock the opportunity to develop optimally.
Tip: The hairs on the fruit can cause itching. It is therefore advisable to wear gloves when working with mature plants.
Uses and Effects of Burdocks
Harvest burdocks
The roots of burdock are the main crops. This happens before the burdock flowers, in the fall of the first year of cultivation (around November). Alternatively, it can be harvested in the following spring. Harvesting early also prevents the plant from growing tall and taking up too much space or spreading by itself. At the same time, the advantages of bee-friendliness do not come into play. If you want both, harvest only part of the root by digging it out next to the plant with a spade. Burdock seeds can be harvested in the fall by opening the heads, scooping out the seeds, and unhooking them.
Use Greater Burdock and Other Burdocks
Basically, none of the burdock species mentioned is classified as poisonous. Earlier, burdock roots were eaten as a vegetable, similar to black salsify. Burdock roots are still very common in Japan, making them one of the most popular root vegetables there. The petioles and young leaves of burdock are also edible and used in cooking like spinach. Older leaves taste very bitter, which is why theconsumption not recommended. With us, burdocks are less common than vegetables, and if they are, burdocks are cultivated for their medicinal properties. For example, you can prepare a burdock root tea. To do this, pour 250 ml of cold water over a heaped teaspoon of dried burdock root. After five hours of brewing, the tea is boiled for a minute and then strained.
Tip: The seeds of the greater burdock can be cleaned and used in bread, muesli or soups.
Burdock Root Effect
According to studies, the effect of burdock is anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, anti-microbial, diuretic and diaphoretic and regulates hypoglycaemic processes. With the latter effect, burdock root tea can be used for diabetes, for example. Nowadays, burdock root is used as a hair oil to prevent hair fall if it is caused by poor blood circulation. In addition to all the positive effects of burdock, one should not ignore potential side effects and risks such as rashes.
Burdock: harvest and use at a glance
- Burdock root harvest time: Fall of the first year of cultivation or the following spring.
- Peduncles and young leaves: used as a vegetable with a taste reminiscent of artichokes.
- Burdock Root: Use as a vegetable, base for soups, for burdock root tea or tinctures, oils and ointments.
- Possible Effects: Anti-inflammatory, diuretic and diaphoretic, anti-carcinogenic, anti-microbial.
Another herb that is often found naturally in our meadows, but also has its place in the garden, is sorrel. In another article you will therefore find everything you need to know about planting, caring for and propagating sorrel.