Arctium minus - Lesser Burdock
This prickly flower is
not in fact a member of the dock family; it belongs to the daisy family, Compositae.
Burdocks bloom from July until September, and they are generally found in shady places or
on waste ground. Typically, the plant grows to a metre, with flower heads between 15 mm
and 30 mm in diameter. The seed heads, or burs, have hooked bracts and become attached to
the fur of animals; in this way the seeds are distributed.
Another burdock you will find in Wales is the Greater
Burdock, Arctium lappa. It is very similar to lesser burdock, but has rounder
leaves and rounder, somewhat larger flowers; the flowers of greater burdock can be up to
40 mm in diameter.
Wildflowers of Wales
This wildflower is one of many dozens that are featured in the First Nature Guide to the
Wonderful Wildflowers of Wales, Volume 3 - Mountains, Moorland and Meadows.
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