Copy permalink to share
Asteraceae
Xanthium

not marked as a favorite taxon Xanthium Linnaeus. Common name: Cocklebur.

Key to Xanthium

A genus of about 3-20 or more species, herbs, cosmopolitan (of somewhat uncertain original distribution). A very broad approach to species delineation has been fashionable (see synonymy); we are convinced that the delineation of more taxa (but not an inordinate number) is warranted and does a better job of representing the diversity within the genus. Manzo et al. (2024) studied section Acanthoxanthium, and found a strong basis for recognizing several species.

Glossary (beta!)

Key advice:Mature burs are needed for the identification of most species.

References: Cronquist (1980); Fernald (1946); Löve & Dansereau (1959); Manzo et al. (2024); Millspaugh & Sherff (1919); Strother (2006ee) In Flora of North America Editorial Committee (2006b); Tomasello (2018). Show full citations.

Show in key(s)

Show parent family | Show parent in key(s)

Show species in Xanthium

Your browser does not support SVGs

Hover over a shape, letter, icon, or arrow on the map for definition or see the legend. Data for arrows not developed for genera and families which may have species only occurring outside the flora area.

image #1 of Xanthium© Gary P. Fleming | Xanthium strumarium
image #2 of Xanthium© J.W. Hardin | Xanthium strumarium
image #3 of Xanthium© Bruce A. Sorrie | Xanthium strumarium

Feedback

See something missing or incorrect about Xanthium? Let us know here:
  1. Please include your name and if possible, email in case when need to clarify what you wrote.
  2. If you opt out of including email, please be as specific as possible (e.g., which photo is incorrect?)
  3. Please do not submit questions asking to identify plants or about horticultural topics (e.g., how do I control an invasive plant in my garden?). Instead, those questions can be submitted here for the Carolinas region only.
  4. Please do not send us feedback about unkeyed species as this work is ongoing.
  5. Please allow time for flora edits to show in our next data release. We greatly appreciate your feedback but may require extra time to research complicated taxonomic issues.