Bathurst Burr - introduced (*Xanthium spinosum)

Family: Asteraceae (Daisy family).

Other names: Cocklebur.

Native of southern Europe and Asia.

Occurrence: An uncommon weed of the Central Goldfields. It is widespread weed in warmer climates.

Identification:

• the leaves are dark green on the upper surface, and whitish on the undersurface
• three sharp spines grow from the leaf bases
• it grows to a low (about 30 cm) bush
• the fruit are ovoid, and covered with hooked spines.

Bathurst Burr is a declared noxious weed and Regionally Conrolled in central Victoria.

The fruit sticks to the fur of animals, particularly sheep, which helps its dispersion. In South America it is used as a medicinal plant, and as a source of dye. It is an annual.

Photo 1: Bathurst Burr. Pyrenees Highway, Chewton.
2: Murray River, Koondrook showing the spines and spiny fruit.