Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Burdock, the Lesser

BURDOCK, the Lesser, or Xanthium strumarium, L. likewise a native plant growing on dung, and grounds highly manured: the thornless stem is a foot and a half high, thick, often spotted; the haves heart-shaped, lobed, on long foot-stalks; flowers from June to September.—The leaves are bitter and astringent: they are eaten by horses and goats, but refused by cows, sheep, and swine.—A decoction of the whole plant yields a bright yellow colour; which, however, is more lively, when the flowers alone are employed.