Xanthium spinosum L.
Family: Asteraceae, Tribe: Heliantheae
Pertinent Synonyms & Notes (particularly those used in California; go to GRIN for other synonyms)
none
Pertinent Common Names (particularly those used in California; go to GRIN for other common names)
spiny cocklebur
Primary Disseminule Type
spiny bur
Description (diagnostics are in brown)
Disseminule a spiny bur consisting of a hardened receptacle tightly enclosing two cypselae.
Bur cylindrical, body minutely glandular and sparsely hairy, yellowish-green to tan, 10–15 mm long x 4–10 mm diameter, with scattered spines, two chambers and 1–2 inconspicuous straight beaks (0.5–1 mm long, one beak often degenerate) at apex. Spines slender, ca. 2–3 mm long, ± straight and then prominently hooked at tip, glabrous.
Similar Species
Risk Assessment (codes in yellow or red indicate cause for concern; assessments are current as of mid-2011; click AUQP, NZBORIC, or NZBPI for access to the most recent versions of these databases and possible assessment changes)
AUQP, AUWP, NZWP, NZBORIC, NZBPI