Arctium lappa

{{Short description|Species of flowering plant}} {{Redirect|Gobō|the city in Wakayama Prefecture|Gobō, Wakayama}} {{Speciesbox | image = ArctiumLappa1.jpg | image_caption = Greater burdock | genus = Arctium | species = lappa | authority = L. | synonyms = {{collapsible list|bullets = true | title=Synonymy | ''Arcion majus'' Bubani | ''Arcion tomentosum'' Bubani | ''Arctium bardana'' Willd. | ''Arctium chaorum'' Klokov | ''Arctium grandiflorum'' Desf. | ''Arctium leiospermum'' Juz. & Ye.V.Serg. | ''Arctium majus'' (Gaertn.) Bernh. | ''Arctium ruderale'' Salisb. | ''Arctium vulgare'' (Hill) Evans | ''Arctium vulgare'' (Hill) Druce | ''Bardana arctium'' Hill | ''Bardana lappa'' Hill | ''Lappa glabra'' Lam. | ''Lappa major'' Gaertn. | ''Lappa nemorosa'' (Lej.) Körn. ex Griewank | ''Lappa officinalis'' All. | ''Lappa vulgaris'' Hill | ''Lappa platylepis'' Boiss. & Balansa ex Boiss. & Balansa | synonyms_ref = <ref>[http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/gcc-52146 The Plant List ''Arctium lappa'' L. ]</ref> |}}}}

'''''Arctium lappa''''', commonly called '''greater burdock''',<ref name=GRIN>{{GRIN | access-date = 2017-12-15}}</ref> {{Nihongo|'''gobō'''|牛蒡/ゴボウ}},<ref name=GRIN/> '''edible burdock''',<ref name=GRIN/> '''lappa''',<ref name=GRIN/> '''beggar's buttons''',<ref name=GRIN/> '''thorny burr''', or '''happy major'''<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FgW4KJUSXkIC&pg=PA143|page=143|title=A Modern Herbal: The Medicinal, Culinary, Cosmetic and Economic Properties, Cultivation and Folk-lore of Herbs, Grasses, Fungi, Shrubs, & Trees with All Their Modern Scientific Uses, Volume 1|author=Grieve, Maud|year=1971|publisher=Courier Corporation |isbn=9780486227986}}</ref> is a Eurasian species of plants in the family Asteraceae.

It has become an invasive weed of high-nitrogen soils in North America, Australia, and other regions, but is cultivated for its vegetable root.

==Description==

Greater burdock is a biennial plant, rather tall, reaching as much as {{convert|3|m|abbr=off|0}}.<ref>"COMMON BURDOCK, ''Arctium minus''," Ohio Perennial and Biennial Weed Guide, Ohio State University, http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/weedguide/singlerecord.asp?id=900</ref> The fleshy taproot can grow up to {{convert|1|m|ft|abbr=on|frac=2}} long<ref name="x" /> and {{Convert|2|cm|frac=4}} across. It has large, alternating, wavy-edged cordiform leaves that have a long petiole and are pubescent on the underside.<ref name=x>[http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200023153 Flora of China Vol. 20-21 Page 153 <big>牛蒡</big> niu bang ''Arctium lappa'' Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 2: 816. 1753. ]</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=United States Department of the Army |title=The Complete Guide to Edible Wild Plants |publisher=Skyhorse Publishing |year=2009 |isbn=978-1-60239-692-0 |location=New York |pages=34 |language=en-US |oclc=277203364}}</ref>

The flowers are purple and grouped in globular capitula, united in clusters. They appear in mid-summer, from July to September.<ref name="The Wild Flower Key">{{cite book |last=Rose |first=Francis|author-link=Francis Rose |title=The Wild Flower Key |year=1981 |publisher=Frederick Warne & Co|isbn=0-7232-2419-6 |pages=386–387}}</ref> The capitula are surrounded by an involucre made out of many bracts, each curving to form a hook, allowing the mature fruits to be carried long distances. The fruits are long, compressed achenes with short pappus hairs.

{{gallery|mode=packed |BurdockLeafInHand.gif|A {{convert|1.8|m|ft|frac=2|abbr=on}} man with leaf |Arctium lappa02.jpg|Inflorescence |File:Grote klit of grote klis (Arctium lappa) 19-01-2026. (d.j.b.).jpg|Mature fruit in nature |Arctium lappa MHNT.BOT.2004.0.16.jpg|Burrs close-up }}

=== Chemistry === Burdock roots contain mucilage, sulfurous acetylene compounds, polyacetylenes and bitter guaianolide-type constituents.{{citation needed|date=January 2015}} Seeds contain arctigenin, arctiin, and butyrolactone lignans.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Hayashi |first1=K |last2=Narutaki |first2=K |last3=Nagaoka |first3=Y |last4=Hayashi |first4=T |last5=Uesato |first5=S |date=2010 |title=Therapeutic effect of arctiin and arctigenin in immunocompetent and immunocompromised mice infected with influenza |journal=Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin |volume=33 |issue=7 |pages=1199–1205 |doi=10.1248/bpb.33.1199 |pmid=20606313 |doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |author1=Xie L.-H. |author2=Ahn E.-M. |author3=Akao T. |author4=Abdel-Hafez A.A.-M. |author5=Nakamura N. |author6=Hattori M. |date=2003 |title=Transformation of arctiin to estrogenic and antiestrogenic substances by human intestinal bacteria |journal=Chemical and Pharmaceutical Bulletin |volume=51 |issue=4 |pages=378–384 |doi=10.1248/cpb.51.378 |pmid=12672988 |doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |author1=Matsumoto T. |author2=Hosono-Nishiyama K. |author3=Yamada H. |date=2006 |title=Antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of from Arctium lappa on leukemic cells |journal=Planta Medica |volume=72 |issue=3 |pages=276–278 |doi=10.1055/s-2005-916174 |pmid=16534737|s2cid=41642519 }}</ref>

=== Similar species === {{See also|Arctium minus}} The burdock could be confused with rhubarb, the leaves of which are toxic.<ref name=":0" />

==Taxonomy== ''Arctium lappa'' was named and described by the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1753.{{r|IPNI:178385-1}} Its type specimen was collected from a cultivated waste area in Europe ("habitat in Europae cultis ruderatis").{{sfnp|Linnaeus|1753|loc=[https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/358837#page/258/mode/1up Vol. 2, p. 816]}}

==Distribution and habitat== This species is native to the temperate regions of the Old World, from Scandinavia to the Mediterranean, and from the British Isles through Russia, and the Middle East to India, China, Taiwan and Japan.

It is naturalized widely in temperate climates<ref name="edible">{{Cite book |last=Hobbs |first=Kevin |url=https://books.google.com/books/about/Edible.html?id=-T43zwEACAAJ&source=kp_book_description |title=Edible: 70 Sustainable Plants That Are Changing How We Eat |last2=Cisar-Erlach |first2=Artur |date=2023 |publisher=Thames & Hudson Ltd |isbn=978-0-500-02561-1 |location=London |pages=28}}</ref> and is usually found in disturbed areas, especially in soil rich in humus and nitrogen, preferring full sunlight.

==Ecology== The leaves of greater burdock provide food for the caterpillars of some Lepidoptera, such as the thistle ermine (''Myelois circumvoluta'').

=== As an invasive species === It has become an invasive weed of high-nitrogen soils in North America, Australia, and other regions.<ref>[http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=200023153 Flora of North America Vol. 19, 20 and 21 Page 169 Great burdock, grande bardane, ''Arctium lappa'' Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 2: 816. 1753. ]</ref><ref>[http://bie.ala.org.au/species/Arctium+lappa Atlas of Living Australia, Arctium lappa L.]</ref><ref>[http://bonap.net/MapGallery/County/Arctium%20lappa.png Biota of North America Program 2014 county distribution map]</ref><ref>[http://luirig.altervista.org/flora/taxa/index1.php?scientific-name=arctium+lappa Altervista Flora Italiana, Bardana maggiore ''Arctium lappa'' L.] many photos</ref>

==Health concerns==

The burrs are a potential hazard for humans, horses, and dogs. The minute, sharply-pointed, bristly pappus hairs easily detach from the top of the achenes and are carried by the slightest breeze – attaching to skin, mucous membranes, and eyes where they can cause severe dermal irritation, possible respiratory manifestations, and ophthalmia.<ref>{{Cite journal |author1=Cole T.C.H. |author2=Su S. |author3=Hilger H.H. |date=2016 |title=''Arctium lappa'' – Burdock pappus bristles can cause skin irritation and burdock ophthalmia |journal=PeerJ Preprints |doi=10.7287/peerj.preprints.1871v1 |doi-access=free}}</ref>

==Uses== ===Culinary=== {{nutritional value | name=Burdock root, raw | kJ=302 | protein=1.53 g | fat=0.15 g | carbs=17.34 g | fiber=3.3 g | sugars=2.9 | calcium_mg=41 | iron_mg=0.8 | magnesium_mg=38 | phosphorus_mg=51 | potassium_mg=308 | sodium_mg=5 | zinc_mg=0.33 | manganese_mg=0.232 | vitC_mg=3 | thiamin_mg=0.01 | riboflavin_mg=0.03 | niacin_mg=0.3 | pantothenic_mg=0.321 | vitB6_mg=0.24 | folate_ug=23 | vitE_mg=0.38 | vitK_ug=1.6 | source_usda = 1 | note=[https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/food-details/169974/nutrients Link to USDA Database entry] }}

thumb|Japanese ''gobō'' salad

The roots are edible cooked.<ref name=":0" /> They can be roasted or julienned and braised in soy sauce for use in stir fries and soups.<ref name="edible" /> Greater burdock root is known as ''niúbàng'' ({{lang|zh|牛蒡}}) in Chinese, which was borrowed into Japanese as ''gobō'' and Korean as ''ueong'' ({{lang|ko|우엉}}), and is widely eaten in Japan, Korea and Taiwan. It was used in Europe during the Middle Ages as a vegetable, but now it is rarely used except in Italy and Portugal, where it is known as ''bardana'' or "garduna". It is also known under the same names and eaten in Brazil. Plants are cultivated for their slender roots. The root was traditionally used in Britain as a flavouring in the herbal drink dandelion and burdock, which is still commercially produced.

The root is very crisp and has a sweet, mild, and pungent flavor with a little muddy harshness that can be reduced by soaking julienned/shredded roots in water for five to ten minutes. The harshness shows excellent harmonization with pork in miso soup (tonjiru) and takikomi gohan (a Japanese-style pilaf).

A popular Japanese dish is ''kinpira gobō'', julienned or shredded burdock root and carrot, braised with soy sauce, sugar, mirin and/or sake, and sesame oil. Another is burdock makizushi, rolled sushi filled with pickled burdock root; the burdock root is often artificially colored orange to resemble a carrot. Burdock root can also be found as a fried snack food similar in taste and texture to potato chips and is occasionally used as an ingredient in tempura dishes. Fermentation of the root by ''Aspergillus oryzae'' is also used for making miso and rice wine in Japanese cuisine.<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/07/160704082849.htm | title = New probiotic identified in fermented Japanese vegetable: Enzyme improves colon health in rats | publisher = Science Daily}}</ref>

The tender leaf stalks can be peeled and eaten raw or cooked.<ref name=":0" /> Immature flower stalks may also be harvested in late spring, before flowers appear. The taste resembles that of artichoke, a burdock relative.

In the second half of the 20th century, burdock achieved international recognition for its culinary use due to the increasing popularity of the macrobiotic diet, which advocates its consumption. The root contains a fair amount of dietary fiber (GDF, 6 g per 100 g), calcium, potassium, amino acids,<ref>{{cite web|author=（井関清経＝健康サイト編集） |url=http://www.nikkeibp.co.jp/wcs/leaf/CID/onair/kenkou/plus/419412 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120904135938/http://www.nikkeibp.co.jp/wcs/leaf/CID/onair/kenkou/plus/419412 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-09-04 |title=ゴボウの皮はむかないのが"新常識" (06/01/19) - ニュース - nikkei BPnet |publisher=Nikkeibp.co.jp |access-date=2012-02-02}}</ref> and is low calorie. It contains polyphenols that causes darkened surface and muddy harshness by formation of tannin-iron complexes. Those polyphenols are caffeoylquinic acid derivatives.<ref>{{Cite journal | doi = 10.1021/jf00058a007| title = Antioxidative caffeoylquinic acid derivatives in the roots of burdock (Arctium lappa L.)| journal = Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry| volume = 43| issue = 10| pages = 2592| year = 1995| last1 = Maruta| first1 = Yoshihiko| last2 = Kawabata| first2 = Jun| last3 = Niki| first3 = Ryoya}}</ref>

=== Traditional medicine=== Dried burdock roots (''Bardanae radix'') are used in traditional medicine.<ref>{{Cite journal |author1=Chan Y.-S. |author2=Cheng L.-N. |author3=Wu J.-H. |author4=Chan E. |author5=Kwan Y.-W. |author6=Lee S.M.-Y. |author7=Leung G.P.-H. |author8=Yu P.H.-F. |author9=Chan S.-W. | title = A review of the pharmacological effects of Arctium lappa (burdock) | journal = Inflammopharmacology | date = 2010|volume=19 |issue=5 |pages=245–54 |doi=10.1007/s10787-010-0062-4 |pmid=20981575 |hdl=10397/4042 |s2cid=15181217 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> The seeds of greater burdock are employed in traditional Chinese medicine under the name ''niubangzi''<ref>[http://libproject.hkbu.edu.hk/was40/detail?lang=en&channelid=1288&searchword=herb_id=D00675 School of Chinese Medicine database] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826161223/http://libproject.hkbu.edu.hk/was40/detail?lang=en&channelid=1288&searchword=herb_id%3DD00675 |date=August 26, 2014}}</ref> ({{zh|c=牛蒡子|p=niúbàngzǐ}}).

==References== {{Reflist|40em|refs=

<ref name="IPNI:178385-1">{{IPNI |id=178385-1 |taxon=''Arctium lappa'' |authority={{small|L.}} |access-date=15 August 2025}}</ref>

}}

==Bibliography== * {{cite book |last=Linnaeus |first=Carl |author-link=Carl Linnaeus |title=Species Plantarum: exhibentes plantas rite cognitas, ad genera relatas, cum differentiis specificis, nominibus trivialibus, synonymis selectis, locis natalibus, secundum systema sexuale digestas |year=1753 |publisher=Impensis Laurentii Salvii |location=Stockholm |edition=1st |url=http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/bibliography/669#/summary |access-date=28 August 2024}}

==External links== {{Wikiversity-bc|Arctium lappa}} *[https://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/b/burdoc87.html A modern herbal, burdock] *[https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Arctium+lappa Plants for a future: ''Arctium lappa'']

lappa Category:Flora of Asia Category:Flora of Europe Category:Flora of Western Asia Category:Flora of temperate Asia Category:Medicinal plants of Europe Category:Medicinal plants of Asia Category:Root vegetables Category:Japanese vegetables Category:Plants used in traditional Chinese medicine Category:Plants described in 1753 Category:Botanical taxa named by Carl Linnaeus