Arctium minus 'Lesser Burdock'

[Ex. Darlington, England]

Asteraceae: robust, downy biennial of waste ground, verges and hedgerows, growing to 1m or more. Similar to the Greater Burdock differs in its flowers and hollow stalks. The flowers are egg-shaped, 15-20mm across, with purplish florets projecting beyond the greenish-yellow, hooked, spiny bracts, on open spikes from July-September. The fruits are burs, with hooked spines, that cling onto animal fur and aid dispersal. Heart shaped leaves, with hollow stalks. Widespread and common throughout the country. Native to most of Europe, including Britain, south and east to N. Africa and the Caucasus.

USES:

The root can be eaten raw or cooked, the best roots are obtained from young plants. These are usually peeled and sliced. The roasted root can also be used as a coffee substitute.

Burdock is one of the foremost detoxifying herbs in both Chinese and Western herbal medicine. The dried root of one year old plants is the official herb, but the leaves and fruits can also be use. It is used to treat conditions caused by an 'overload' of toxins, such as throat and other infections, boils, rashes and other skin problems. The root is thought to be particularly good at helping to eliminate heavy metals from the body. The plant is antibacterial, antifungal and carminative.

GROWING INFORMATION:

Sow at any time of the year. Germination can take a long time so a light scarification might be useful. EASY!

HARVESTED: 2020

 
APPROX. 45 SEEDS