Cockle Burr – Dare not to touch me!

Rough Cockle Burr
When I found these attractive seed pods, I didn’t have any idea about the plant. I was looking for some weed types and accidentally found this plant also in the list. Thus I came to know that this is known as Cockle Burr or Rough Cockle Burr in English. Xanthium strumarium is the botanical name. Local names in Indian languages are unknown to me yet.
I was fascinated by the green spiny burs, totally unaware of the fact that this is one of the most annoying weed found in the United States! Cockle bur may be a reason of allergic contact dermatitis to some people. Cockle bur seeds and cotyledon (seed leaves) contain highly toxic glycoside carboxyatractyloside that poisons animals or humans and can cause severe hypoglycemia, multiple organ dysfunction, coma, and even death!
Cockle burr seeds look like that of the sunflowers and unfortunately taste the same! I had been enjoying watching it, but, if I had taken some photographs of the seeds too!

Rough Cockle Burr - Burrs and leaves

About Sindhu

A nature lover and dreamer who expresses herself as an artist, fashion designer and blogger. Persued B.Sc fashion design at Karavali College (Mangaluru University 2003 - 2006) with first rank. Former lecturer for fashion designing at Gloria College, Puttur for five years (2006-2011). Blogger since 2013.

16 Comments

  1. Never knew about this, Sindhu! So many types of flora & fauna 🙂

  2. Hmm Interesting to know about these poisonous seeds.

  3. Interesting indeed and well photographed

  4. Wow, I always come across something interesting and new on your blog! I love the name of the plant, 'Cockle Burr' seems like it is burring and telling you to stay away from it 😛

  5. Great work Sindhu! It's a Xanthium so to say in botanical terms. 🙂

  6. The first one is a such a lovely shot!

  7. Amazing pics, although the subject seems mischievous 🙂

  8. Glad this post has given you some information regarding Cockle Burr 🙂 Yes, nature is very artistic! Thank you so much for stopping by!

  9. Yes, indeed! Thanks for your time for TAAM Fayazji!

  10. Thanks for the compliments Deepakji! Glad you visited TAAM :0

  11. Thank you for your encouraging words Khushboo 🙂 Yes, this common name is because of its nature 🙂 Glad you stopped by!

  12. Thank you so much for stopping by Poonamji! Your words boost me! Yes, its botanical name is Xanthium strumarium, just skipped from my mind while typing… Just about to add it 🙂 Thanks for reminding 🙂

  13. Thanks a ton for the compliment Mridula 🙂 Your words really mean a lot!

  14. Thank you Nevin, your clicks are always inspiring! Yes, the subject is really mischievous! Thanks for stopping by!

  15. Informative! And you have a great taste for photography Sindhu 🙂

  16. Interesting and informative

    Nice photos

    thanks sindhu

Your words make my day!