cotton burdock

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• cotton burdock
• hairy burdock
• woolly burdock
• Wooly Burdock

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Lappa tomentosa
• Arctium minus f. tomentosum
• Arctium leptophyllum
• Arctium lappa var. tomentosum
• Lappa bardana subsp. tomentosa

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, specifically placing it within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Following the order Asterales, it is categorized under the family Asteraceae. Finally, it is classified within the genus Arctium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several regions of Northern Europe. It can be found growing in the natural landscapes of Denmark and Finland. Additionally, its presence extends to the territories of Great Britain. The species is also documented within the borders of Norway. Finally, its geographical range includes the country of Sweden.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Arctium tomełosum is characterized by its preference for disturbed and transitional environments, where it frequently colonizes open roadsides. These disturbed habitats provide the necessary sunlight and soil conditions required for its growth, often occurring in areas where vegetation is periodically cleared or trampled. By occupying these open margins, the species thrives in niches that offer reduced competition from dense forest canopies, allowing it to establish itself in the light-rich corridors provided by human-made pathways and roadside verges.

Habitat :

open roadsides

Life history

The life history of Arctium tomentosum is characterized by a biennial lifecycle, typically spending its first year in a vegetative stage before transitioning to a reproductive phase in the second year. As a plant that exhibits a therophyte life form, it completes its biological cycle through the production of seeds, often retreating to a dormant state to survive unfavorable conditions. Its structural growth pattern is classified as a hemicryptophyte, with its perennating buds located at or near the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or soil. Furthermore, the plant exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage as part of its seasonal survival strategy.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

biennial

Morphology

The morphology of Arctium tomentosum is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and specifically a forb. It is a self-supporting plant, lacking any climbing or liana-like tendencies, and functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite or epiphyte. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit aquatic or semiaquatic characteristics. In terms of stature, the plant typically reaches a height ranging from a minimum of 0.5 m to a maximum of 1.5 m, with an average plant height of approximately 1.4125 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.5 m

Plant height mean:

1.4125 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Arctium tomentosum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a metabolic strategy that facilitates carbon fixation in environments where water availability is relatively consistent. As a non-carnivorous species, the plant relies entirely on autotrophic nutrient acquisition through its root system and soil interaction. Its vegetative structure is defined by large, expansive foliage, with leaf lengths typically ranging from a minimum of 25 cm to a mean of 37.5 cm, reaching a maximum of 50 cm. These leaves exhibit significant lateral development, with widths spanning from a minimum of 10 cm to a maximum of 30 cm. Furthermore, the plant demonstrates a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 500 cm²/g, suggesting a relatively high leaf area per unit of dry mass, which optimizes light interception and gas exchange within its ecological niche.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

50 cm

Leaf length mean:

37.5 cm

Leaf length min:

25 cm

Leaf width max:

30 cm

Leaf width min:

10 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

500 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Arctium tomeñosum is characterized by a sexual cycle facilitated by biotic pollination syndromes, specifically relying on insects for the transfer of pollen. The flowering period typically commences in July and extends through September. During this reproductive phase, self-fertilization is noted to be absent, emphasizing the importance of insect vectors. The plant follows a monocarpic life strategy, meaning it undergoes a single reproductive episode before completing its life cycle. Following successful pollination, the plant produces indehiscent fruits classified as achenes. These fruits vary in size, with a mean length of 0.55 cm (ranging from 0.5 cm to 0.6 cm) and a consistent width of approximately 0.25 cm. The seeds contained within these fruits have a mean mass of 0.011299 g, with recorded values ranging between 0.00904 g and 0.011299 g. Dispersal is primarily anemochorous, utilizing wind to spread the seeds, and the plant does not exhibit asexual reproduction.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Sep

Fruit length max:

0.6 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.55 cm

Fruit length min:

0.5 cm

Fruit type :

achene

Fruit width max:

0.25 cm

Monocarpy :

monocarp

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

0.00904 g

Seed mass mean:

0.011299 g

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Arctium tomentosum has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit, seed.

Fruit

1. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

Seed

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Chemicals

Arctium tomentosum has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Fatty acids, Lignans.

Fatty acids

1. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

Lignans

1. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

Preparations

Arctium tomentosum has 1 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include mix powder.

Mix powder

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica