Xanthium strumarium

Xanthium strumarium (rough cocklebur, Noogoora burr, clotbur, common cocklebur, large cocklebur, woolgarie bur, Siberian cocklebur) is a species of annual plants in the flowering plant family Asteraceae. Some sources claim it originates in southern Europe and Asia, but has been extensively naturalized elsewhere. Others, such as the Flora of China and Flora of North America, state it originates in the Americas but was an early introduction to Eurasia.

Description

A stiffly branched annual herb. It is 1.2 m tall. The leaves are alternate and oval or triangle shaped with a heart shaped base. The flower heads are greenish. Male and female flowers are separate but on the same plant. They are 5-6 mm across and in clusters at the side. The fruit are 14-18 mm across.

Edible Uses

Leaves and young plants can be eaten cooked but must be thoroughly boiled and then washed. Caution is advised as the plant is probably poisonous. The seeds can be eaten raw or cooked, used as a piñole, or ground into a powder and mixed with flour for making bread and cakes. The seed contains approximately 36.7% protein, 38.6% fat, and 5.2% ash, but also contains a glycoside and is probably poisonous.

Traditional Uses

CAUTION: The plant (fruit) has been reported as toxic and damaging to the heart. The seeds have been ground into flour then baked into cakes. The young leaves have been thoroughly boiled and washed then eaten. The young leaves can be stored for 4-5 days after harvesting.

Medicinal Uses

The leaves and root are anodyne, antirheumatic, appetizer, diaphoretic, diuretic, emollient, laxative, and sedative. The plant is considered useful for treating long-standing malaria and is used as an adulterant for Datura stramonium. An infusion has been used for rheumatism, diseased kidneys, and tuberculosis, and as a liniment on the armpits to reduce perspiration. The fruits contain glycosides and phytosterols and are anodyne, antibacterial, antifungal, antimalarial, antirheumatic, antispasmodic, antitussive, cytotoxic, hypoglycaemic, and stomachic. Internally they treat allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, catarrh, rheumatism, rheumatoid arthritis, constipation, diarrhoea, lumbago, leprosy, and pruritis; externally they treat pruritis. Fruits are harvested ripe and dried for later use. The root is a bitter tonic and febrifuge, historically used for scrofulous tumours. A decoction of the root treats high fevers and aids expulsion of the afterbirth. A decoction of the seeds treats bladder complaints. A poultice of powdered seed has been applied as a salve on open sores.

Known Hazards

Poisonous. Most members of this genus are toxic to grazing animals and are usually avoided by them. The seed also contains toxins.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It occurs all around the world. It grows in damp places. It grows in wetlands. It needs full sun. It can grow in arid places. In the Himalayas it grows up to 1,800 m above sea level. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Where It Grows

Africa, Albania, Armenia, Asia, Azerbaijan, Australia, Austria, Balkans, Bangladesh, Botswana, Britain, Bulgaria, Canada, Caribbean, Caucasus, Central Asia, China, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Egypt, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Europe, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Manchuria, Marquesas, Mauritius, Mediterranean, Middle East, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, New Caledonia, Nigeria, North Africa, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Saudi Arabia, Scandinavia, SE Asia, Sicily, Singapore, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tibet, USA, West Africa, West Indies, Zambia, Zimbabwe,

Cultivation

Requires a sunny position, succeeding in most soils. Prefers a poor dry soil. Hardy to about -15°c. Plants often self sow and in some parts of the world have become noxious weeds.

Propagation

Sow seed in spring or autumn in situ. The seed requires plenty of moisture to germinate.

Other Uses

Dried leaves yield tannin. A yellow dye is obtained from the leaves. The seed powder has been used as a blue body paint. The dried plant repels weevils from stored wheat grain. The seed contains an essential oil.

Other Information

It is cultivated as a vegetable in China. It is sold in local markets.

Notes

It contains a glucoside: xanthostrumarium. It has anticancer properties. Chemical composition (seeds): Protein = 36.7%. Fat = 38.6%. Ash = 5.18%. Some Vitamin C. High amino acid values: Glutamic acid = 2.48g per 16g of nitrogen. Phenylalanine = 5.8g per 16g of nitrogen.

Synonyms

Also Known As

Adhasisi, Agara, Aggruppa cudi, Arishta, Banokra, Bardana minuri, Bon okra, Buah anjang, Chhota-gokharu, Chiru, Chota-dhatura, Chota-gokhru, Dutundi, Gadariun, Ghagara, Ghaghra, Gokhru, G'oris birk'a, Gyosa-gauk-pin, Hagra, Kachab, Katsine, Kyat, Lanetsuru, Lepadi, Lokra, Marulamathangi, Maruloomatham, Maruluummatti, Navadni bodič, Ogara, Okra phal, Parak hanthor, Parohanthor, Parok hanthor, Pinle-zi, Shankeshvara, Tsur, Wangan tsuru

References (46)

• Al-Sodany, Y. M., et al, 2013, Medicinal Plants in Saudi Arabia: I. Sarrwat Mountains at Taif, KSA. Academic Journal of Plant Sciences 6 (4): 134-145
• Ambasta, S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 692
• Banerjee, A., et al, 2013, Ethnobotanical Documentation of Some Wild Edible Plants in Bankura District, West Bengal, India. The Journal of Ethnobiology and Traditional Medicine. Photon 120 (2013) 585-590
• BARANOV,
• BARC, 2016, State of Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture in Bangladesh. Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council. (As Xanthium indicum)

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