A biennial, or short-lived perennial, which grows to 1.5 m (5 ft.) tall. It has long, ovate leaves covered in down and thick, hairy stems. Purple thistle-like flowers appear in mid to late summer, followed by fruits (seed heads) made up of hooked spines or burs.
History and traditions
This plant comes into the thistle group of the extended Compositae/Asteraceae family. Its names relate to the clinging nature of the burs which follow the flowers. Arctium comes from arktos, Greek for a bear (supposed to indicate the plant’s roughness), and lappa from a word meaning to seize, though some authorities also connect the species name with the Celtic word for hand, llap. The English common name is a little more obvious in derivation, “bur” referring to the prickles and “dock” to the shape of the large leaves. Culpeper lists its popular names as “Personata”, Happy-Major” and “Clot-bur”, adding that it is too well-known to describe, “even by the little boys, who pull off the burs to throw at one another”.
Culinary
It is cultivated in Japan for the roots, which are eaten as a vegetable. The stalks, before flowering, can be chopped and added to salads, or cooked as a celery-like vegetable. In the past, they were sometimes candied, in the same way as angelica.
Growth
It is usually collected from the wild, but a cultivated species is grown in Japan. Prefers a moist soil, sun or partial shade and it self-seeds quite freely.
Uses
Medicinal
It has antibacterial and fungicidal properties and is used as a decoction or poultice for inflamed skin, sores, boils and disorders such as eczema and psoriasis. It is also taken for gastric ulcers and said to increase resistance to infection. Used in traditional Chinese Medicine.
Cosmetic
An infusion of the leaves, or decoction of the roots, makes a tonic skin freshener or hair rinse for dandruff.
