cocklebur

[ kok-uhl-bur ]

noun

1. any composite plant of the genus Xanthium, comprising coarse weeds with spiny burs. bur.
2. the burdock, Arctium lappa.

cocklebur

/ ˈkɒkəlˌbɜː /

noun

1. any coarse weed of the genus Xanthium, having spiny burs: family Asteraceae (composites)
2. the bur of any of these plants

Word History and Origins

Origin of cocklebur¹

First recorded in 1795–1805; cockle ² + bur ¹

Example Sentences

Carolina parakeets may have been attracted to farms by the cockleburs growing there as weeds.

From New York Times

The Carolina parakeet had a liking for eating cockleburs, a coarse flowering plant that contains a powerful toxin called carboxytractyloside.

From BBC

With the help of an observant hunter, several friends and an airplane overhead, Pfliger was fortunate enough to find her cocklebur laden keeshond.

From Washington Times

Soon he was observing cockleburs and other barbed seeds that attach themselves to animals and clothing.

From Nature

The literature of veterinary medicine abounds in similar examples: swine eating sprayed cockleburs with consequent severe illness, lambs eating sprayed thistles, bees poisoned by pasturing on mustard sprayed after it came into bloom.

From Literature