LEAFLETS FOR FARMERS, NO. 13.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1200, 1 March 1895, Page 6

LEAFLETS FOR FARMERS, NO. 13.

New Zealand Department of Agriculture. John D. Ritchie, Secretary. THE GIANT BURDOCK, CLOT BURR, BURR THISTLE. (Arctium ma jus.) By T. W. Kirk, F.L S., &c , London This plant is a native of Europe and some portions of Asia. It was introduced a few years ago, probably amongst agricultural seeds from England, and may now be found . extending from Hawke's Bay to Foxton, but is specially thick about Hunterville, and I have recently received specimens from both Canterbury ' Otago. Mr Colenso records it as having been first seen by him in Hawke's Bay in 1882, one plant only, j now there are thousands. An herbaceous plant, with a tap root much resembling that of the common dock, the root leaves, which spread out flat on the ground, are somewhat heart shaped, more or less waved, and very large, sometimes fully the size of giant rhubarb. The margins of the leaves are not notched. The flowering stem grows from 3ft to sft high, branches freely, and bears hundreds of flower heads, which develop into large rounded burrs fully an inch in \ diameter, armed with numerous hooked prickles. Each burr contains many ' seeds.

The tails and manes of horses may frequently, in the districts mentioned, be seen standing out stiff, the hooked burrs having converted the tail into a solid mass resembling a club. The effect on wool may be easily imagined. The plant is a dangerous weed, and no pains should be spared to eradicate any specimen which may appear in a district. This may be done by frequent cutting below the crown before seeds are developed, but if the seed has ripened then be careful to burn the tops. Keeping it from seeding for two seasons will;clear the ground. The plant has, however, some uses. Sowerby, in his " Useful Plants of Great Britain," says, *' The stalks of the burdock, cut before the flowers open and stripped of their rind, form a delicate vegetable when boiled, similar in flavour to asparagus. In the raw state they may be eaten, with oil and vinegar, as salar*i They were sometimes candied with sugar in the time of Bryant, as those of angelica are. They are slightly laxative, but perfectly wholesome. " The roots of the plant are mildly diuretic and diaphoretic, and have been used with advantage in gout, rheumatism, and calculous complaints. The decoction of the root is generally employed, but the seeds and leaves possess nearly the same properties, though the latter are slightly purgative. The bruised leaves are applied by the peasantry in some districts, in cata-

pdasms to the feet, as a remedy for hysterical disorders." Arctium minus. Similar to above, but smaller specimens received from Nelson and Marlborough.