July 19, 2007
Burdock, Arctium minus
Burdock is becoming an abundant weed at Fresh Pond Reservation. The plant is a biennial which during its first year forms a low rosette of large leaves, and the second year develops tall leafy spikes topped by purple flowers. The flowers develop into balls of seeds tipped with velcro-like hooks that become attached to hair and clothing. Volunteers this year removed some burdock plants from the Kingsley Park bioswale that were seven feet tall.