Genus: Xanthium — cocklebur

Some floras split up the genus into either more or fewer species. A "middle of the road" approach has been used in this key. To identify the varieties of Xanthium strumarium in the Full Key, you must look carefully at the tiny details of the "burs" on involucres of fruiting specimens; flowering plants or ones with immature fruits will give poor results. Reference: Fernald (1946).

Family

Asteraceae (aster family)

This genus’s species in New England

• Xanthium spinosum
• Xanthium strumarium

Visit this genus in the Dichotomous Key

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