Pollinator plant

Great Burdock

Arctium lappa

Linked agroforestry plant data
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Common names

55 names · 34 languages
EnglishYour language
+8 more namesShow fewer names
Other languages (33)
Dutch
French
Arabic
  • قرطب أكبر[3]
  • قرطب صالح للأكل[3]
  • قرطب كبير[3]
Belarusian
  • Лопух вялікі[3]
Catalan
  • bardana[3]
  • card d’eriçó[3]
  • repalassa[3]
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
Czech
  • lopuch větší[3]
Danish
  • Glat burre[3]
Estonian
  • suur takjas[3]
Finnish
  • isotakiainen[3]
German
Greek
  • Άρκτιο το Αποτοξινωτικό[3]
Hungarian
  • Közönséges bojtorján[3]
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Lithuanian
  • Didžioji varnalėša[3]
Norwegian
Ojibwe
  • Gichi-Mazaan[3]
Polish
  • Łopian większy[3]
Portuguese
Romanian
Russian
  • Лопух большой[3]
  • репей[3]
  • репейник[3]
Serbian
  • Велики чичак[3]
Slovak
  • lopúch väčší[3]
Slovenian
  • navadni repinec[3]
Spanish
Swedish
  • stor kardborre[3]
Turkish
  • Dulavrat Otu[3]
Ukrainian
  • Лопух великий[3]
Upriver Halkomelem
Welsh
  • Cyngaf mawr[3]
Sources & name notes (3)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Catalogue language labels are reviewed separately from botanical source records.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Arctium lappa — Plant Toolbox common names ↗

NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox; English common names in a United States horticultural reference.

Source records
  • Great Burdock — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(6); heading: Common Name(s):; Arctium lappa.
  • Gobo — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(5); heading: Common Name(s):; Arctium lappa.
  • Greater Burdock — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(7); heading: Common Name(s):; Arctium lappa.
  • Bardane — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(1); heading: Common Name(s):; Arctium lappa.
  • Beggar's Buttons — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(2); heading: Common Name(s):; Arctium lappa.
  • Burrdock — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(3); heading: Common Name(s):; Arctium lappa.
  • Edible Burdock — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(4); heading: Common Name(s):; Arctium lappa.
  • Lappa — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(8); heading: Common Name(s):; Arctium lappa.
  • Snake's Rhubarb — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(9); heading: Common Name(s):; Arctium lappa.
  • Thorny Burr — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(10); heading: Common Name(s):; Arctium lappa.
[2] Arctium lappa — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy. This is a common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • great burdock — results[1].names[10]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
  • Grote Klit — results[1].names[13]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
  • grande bardane — results[1].names[11]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
  • greater burdock — results[1].names[7]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
  • Große Klette — results[1].names[6]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
  • European burdock — results[1].names[12]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
  • lampazo — results[1].names[20]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
  • bardana maggiore — results[1].names[5]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
  • Lappa bardana — results[1].names[23]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
  • Lappola — results[1].names[22]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
  • bardana — results[1].names[16]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
  • Bardana-maior — results[1].names[28]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
[3] Arctium lappa — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • great burdock — results[1].names[10]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
  • Grote Klit — results[1].names[13]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
  • grande bardane — results[1].names[11]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
  • greater burdock — results[1].names[7]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
  • Große Klette — results[1].names[6]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
  • European burdock — results[1].names[12]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
  • lampazo — results[1].names[20]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
  • bardana maggiore — results[1].names[5]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
  • Lappa bardana — results[1].names[23]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
  • Lappola — results[1].names[22]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
  • bardana — results[1].names[16]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
  • Bardana-maior — results[1].names[28]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
  • ゴボウ — results[1].names[1]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
  • Лопух большой — results[1].names[2]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
  • репей — results[1].names[3]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
  • репейник — results[1].names[4]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
  • gobou — results[1].names[9]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
  • lopuch větší — results[1].names[14]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
  • Közönséges bojtorján — results[1].names[15]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
  • 牛蒡 — results[1].names[17]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
  • Άρκτιο το Αποτοξινωτικό — results[1].names[18]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
  • Glat burre — results[1].names[19]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
  • storborre — results[1].names[21]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
  • stor kardborre — results[1].names[24]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
  • isotakiainen — results[1].names[25]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
  • Didžioji varnalėša — results[1].names[26]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
  • Łopian większy — results[1].names[27]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
  • قرطب كبير — results[1].names[29]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
  • قرطب صالح للأكل — results[1].names[30]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
  • قرطب أكبر — results[1].names[31]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
  • Gichi-Mazaan — results[1].names[32]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
  • lopúch väčší — results[1].names[33]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
  • suur takjas — results[1].names[34]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
  • card d’eriçó — results[1].names[35]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
  • repalassa — results[1].names[36]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
  • bardana — results[1].names[37]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
  • Велики чичак — results[1].names[38]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
  • 우엉 — results[1].names[39]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
  • 牛蒡 — results[1].names[40]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
  • Brusture — results[1].names[41]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
  • Лопух великий — results[1].names[42]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
  • Лопух вялікі — results[1].names[43]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
  • navadni repinec — results[1].names[44]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
  • 恶实 — results[1].names[45]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
  • Cyngaf mawr — results[1].names[46]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
  • sexum — results[1].names[47]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
  • Dulavrat Otu — results[1].names[48]; taxon id 75501; Arctium lappa.
Plant references

Source-backed information

Published observations for this plant. Each reference supports the information beside it.

Taxonomy
Arctium lappa is an accepted species in Catalogue of Life.

Taxonomic treatment in the August 2026 release; the catalogue record name is preserved.

Sources [1]
Botanical family
Asteraceae

Family in the cited taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1]
Mature height
0.61–3.05 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Mature spread
0.61–1.22 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Plant habit
Erect

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Life cycle
Biennial

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Growth rate
Rapid

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day); Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Moisture and drainage
Good Drainage

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil texture
High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt)

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)

NC State Extension profile. These source categories do not certify the catalogue’s numeric pH interval.

Sources [2]
Flowering season
Autumn; Summer

NC State Extension profile. Seasons reflect the source region and do not verify the catalogue’s exact flowering months.

Sources [2]
Reported wildlife attraction
Listed as attracting: bees, butterflies, pollinators.

NC State Extension profile. Broad wildlife categories; this does not establish flower visits by a named bee species or quantify nectar and pollen.

Sources [2]
Native range
Temperate Europe and Asia.

North America is added solely from a Greenland native flag, conflicting with Kew narrative Temperate Eurasia and Native Plant Trust explicitly introduced in North America. Reviewed against the current institutional native-range statement.

Sources [3]
Catalogue ratings

Who this plant supports

Honey bees

Medium suitability
Nectar value Medium
Pollen value Medium
Agroforestry database

Complete plant information

Open full plant profile

Structure

Vegetation layer
Herbaceous, Ground cover
Size
Small
Dimensions
2.00 m high × 1.00 m wide
Lifecycle
Biennial

Site conditions

USDA hardiness
3-7
Moisture
Moist
Soil
Sandy, Loamy, Clay
pH
Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
Light
Shade, Partial shade

Uses

Edible parts
Leaves, Root, Stem, Seed
Functions
Pollinator plant
Edibility
4 out of 5
Medicinal value
5 out of 5

Carrots can be eaten both raw and cooked. Young carrots have a mild flavor, while older carrots have a stronger taste. The ideal length for carrots is a maximum of 60 cm, as longer carrots may have a tough core. Carrots discolor quickly when exposed to air. They can also be dried and contain about 45% inulin, which can be converted into a sweetener for diabetics. The young leaves and stems can be eaten both raw and cooked. The leaves have a slimy texture, and the stems and branches can be used like asparagus or spinach, with the skin needing to be removed for the best flavor. The flower stem can be eaten raw in salads or cooked and incorporated into dishes. The pith of the flower stem has a mild flavor similar to asparagus. Germinated seeds of this plant can be used as bean sprouts like mung bean sprouts, soy sprouts, or tjapah.

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Catalogue of Life Arctium lappa — Catalogue of Life COL26.8

    COL26.8 (2026-08-20). Contributing checklist: Synonymic Checklists of the Vascular Plants of the World. This is taxonomic evidence, not an independent ecological study.

    Supports: TaxonomyBotanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: NameUsage.tsv line 1980678; ID 67S22; rank species; status accepted
    • Botanical family: NameUsage.tsv line 1980678; ID 67S22; rank species; status accepted

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 4.0.

  2. NC State Extension Arctium lappa — Plant Toolbox

    NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Growing conditions and seasons reflect its United States horticultural context.

    Supports: Mature heightMature spreadPlant habitLife cycleGrowth rateLightMoisture and drainageSoil textureSoil pHFlowering seasonReported wildlife attraction
    Relevant sections
    • Mature height: Dimensions / Height
    • Mature spread: Dimensions / Width
    • Plant habit: Habit/Form
    • Life cycle: Life Cycle
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Light: Light
    • Moisture and drainage: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • Flowering season: Flower Bloom Time
    • Reported wildlife attraction: Attracts

    Source checked on .

  3. Native Plant Trust Arctium lappa — Go Botany
    Supports: Native range
    Relevant sections
    • Native range: Facts; Native to North America?

    Source checked on .