Canada cocklebur (Xanthium commune)

Family: Asteraceae or Compositae | Edibility: Edible (1/5)

Xanthium commune is a ANNUAL growing to 1.5 m (5ft). It is in flower from July to October, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds

Harvest Seasons: Fall, Late Summer

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Seed. It is dried, then ground into a powder and mixed with cereal flours when making bread, biscuits etc. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. — It is dried, then ground into a powder and mixed with cereal flours when making bread, biscuits etc.; Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Habitat & North American Range

Low ground, stream banks, waste places, cultivated land etc. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)