burdock

Everyday

Burdock is a tall weed with big leaves and round prickly seed heads (burrs) that stick to clothes and animal fur. tree →

In the lessons

In nature lessons burdock shows how some plants spread their seeds by sticking to animals; its burrs inspired the invention of Velcro. In the UK, dandelion and burdock is a traditional fizzy drink. In some places, burdock root is eaten as a vegetable. Phrases: burdock burrs, dandelion and burdock.

Examples

• Burdock burrs stuck all over the dog's fur. tree →
• Burdock grows along paths and fields. tree →
• The idea for Velcro came from burdock burrs. tree →
• Burdock has very large leaves. tree →
• We picked burdock burrs off our socks after the walk. tree →
• Dandelion and burdock is a fizzy drink in Britain. tree →
• The largest green leaf in this country is certainly the burdock-leaf. tree →

Note

Usually uncountable for the plant: burdock; a burdock for one plant. Its sticky seed heads are burrs. Don't eat wild plants unless a grown-up who knows plants says it is safe.