Status: Native
Synonyms:
Listed by var. only, see Allred.
Xanthium strumarium is usually considered a noxious weed. The achenes are enclosed in a spiny structure (bur) which
catches on fur and clothing and is hard to remove. The stems and foliage are a light green and are striped with purple.
Xanthium strumarium is very common along riverbanks and along creeks, as well as roadsides and moist meadows. The closed involucres (burs) contain 2 or 3 rather large achenes each. The interestingly patterned achenes have a thin black seed coat which separates easily.
Please click on an image for a larger file.
Xanthium strumarium, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Mangas, July 23, 2007
Xanthium strumarium, 1x macro of bur with portion cut away showing achene with seed coat, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Saddlerock Road, Jan. 4, 2009
Xanthium strumarium, 1x macro of bur with portion cut away showing achene without seed coat, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Saddlerock Road, Jan. 4, 2009
Xanthium strumarium, 2x macro of seed, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Saddlerock Road, Jan. 4, 2009
Xanthium strumarium, 5x macro of pattern on seed, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Saddlerock Road, Jan. 4, 2009
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