Cocklebur

Identifying Characteristics:

• Large, elongated cotyledons and red-colored hypocotyls
• Seedlings have short, thick stems with purple coloring at the stem base
• Mature stems have a spotted look with black dots throughout the stem
• Seed is a woody brown egg-shaped bur
• Seed will stick to animal fur and clothing
• Leaves are rough and have a triangular shape
• Leaves have wavy or tooth margins

Plant Longevity:

• Annual

Where Commonly Found:

• Pastures
• Wastelands
• Flood plains
• Overgrazed pastures
• Roadsides

Time of Most Concern:

• Young plants or when seeds are present

Compound that Causes Concern:

• Carboxyatractyloside, a sulfated glycoside, found in high concentrations in the seed and cotyledons

Part of Plant Most Toxic:

• Seedlings
• Seeds

Livestock Species Affected:

• Cattle
• Swine
• Sheep
• Poultry

Pasture, Stored Feed, Both:

• Both

Clinical Signs:

• Signs of gastrointestinal pain
• Anorexia
• Weakness
• Breathing problems
• Behavioral change
• Heart problems
• Blindness in cattle
• Convulsions
• Death

Amount Needed to be Consumed for Clinical Signs / Death:

• 0.75% of animals' weight of young seedlings may produce clinical signs or toxicosis in a few hours and death in 24-48 hours
  • 7.5 lbs in a 1,000 lb cow
• 0.3% of body weight if seeds are consumed
  • 3 lbs in a 1,000 lb cow