Family:
Asteraceae
Toxic Parts:
all parts, especially early growth
Toxins:
terpenes, terpenoids
Flower Color:
  • flower color
  • flower color
Found:
waterside, meadows

Time of Greatest Risk

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Geographical Distribution

Cocklebur distribution - United States

Related Species

Cocklebur

Xanthium strumarium

Spony Cocklebur, Burrweed, Daggerweed, Bathurst Burr, Spanish Thistle, Noogoora Burr
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Cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium) is a course, erect, annual plant belonging to the Asteraceae (Sunflower) family. All parts of cocklebur are toxic to livestock; however, horses are at greatest risk of poisoning when the plant is first emerging, during the early seedling stage. During this stage of growth, cocklebur contains higher levels of toxins, and is also more attractive to animals. Ingestion of 0.75% of the horse's body weight can result in signs of poisoning, occurring within a few hours. Death usually follows 24 to 48 hours later.

Cocklebur Toxic Components


The primary toxin in cocklebur is carboxyatractyloside, a sulfated glycoside. Younger horses are more at risk of toxicity and most cases of poisoning in animals occur in the spring and summer. Horses are also at risk of impaction colic from consuming mature fruits during late summer/early fall. Horses may develop acute or chronic toxicity as a result of consumption of cocklebur. In acute cases, death is usually due to liver failure and may occur within hours after onset of clinical signs. Horses that survive acute poisonings usually will develop signs of chronic liver disease.

What Cocklebur Looks Like


Cocklebur is native to North America and Eurasia. Cocklebur attributes:
  • Height: Grows to about 3 feet tall
  • Young plants Seedlings appear as a whitish-green stem with two strap-shaped green leaves.
  • Leaves: Alternate, rough, broadly triangular to heart-shaped leaves.
  • Stems: Round to slightly rubbed, covered with short white hairs along the surface, and are often speckled with purple.
  • Fruits: Small, hard, oval-shaped, 2-chambered burs that are covered with strong, hooked spines.
  • Flowers: Two types of flowers can grow, depending on whether the plant is male or female. Male plants produce short, terminal branches of flowers along the upper half of the plant. Each male compound flower occurs on a short pedicel and is slightly rounded at the top. Female plants develop clusters of flowers within the axils of the leaves, in the lower half of the plant. Each female compound flower contains 2 pistillate florets, which are nearly enclosed by a prickly floral bract with a bur-like appearance. The female compound flowers are initially green, but turn brown as they mature and are slow to detach from the racemes. Both flower types bloom during the later summer or early fall.
  • Root System: Stout, rather woody taproot.

Symptoms

  • Loss Of Appetite
  • Depression
  • Colic
  • Ataxia
  • Muscle Spasms
  • Dyspnea
  • Convulsions
  • Weakness
  • Death

Control

MECHANICAL CONTROL: The plant can be controlled with timely mowing and proper pasture management.

CHEMICAL CONTROL: Several herbicides exist that would adequately control cocklebur.

References