Cockleburs, also known as burdock, are one of the most hateful plants I’ve ever come across. They’re known for their distinctive burrs, which are robust spiky clusters of bracts covered in tiny hooks that cling to fur, clothing, and other surfaces.
These things started popping up along the edges of the property where I live, and the burrs kept getting into the fur of my dog. And once that happens, they’re miserable sons-a-bitches to get out, and it’s almost always a job the requires a pair of scissors.
So I set out to destroy them.
I’ve discovered that they’re tough to destroy. It’s hard to even approach them, the burr clusters seemingly able to leap onto you on their own. I made three previous attempts and was pushed back all three times.
Then, last weekend, we had a bit of an ice storm, and I guess burdock doesn’t like ice, because the plants kind of slumped in place with the additional weight. It was while they were dealing with that that I struck a fourth time. I took my garden hoe and went at them, sometimes with baseball bat swings and other times with golf swings. I decimated them.
But now I’ve got hundreds of these burrs on the ground, ready to fling their seeds hither and yon about the property, and it’s like they’re simply indestructible. My plan is to rake them up, put them in a bucket, and set the little bastards on fire.
I’m told that the burrs can cause skin irritation and other problems for some people and animals. Funny how the day after I knocked them down, I started breaking out in an almost hive-type reaction, alternating back and forth between being painful and being incredibly itchy.
It’s said that the burrs of the cocklebur plant have also been used for various medicinal purposes, including treating skin conditions, joint pain, and fever. I don’t care.
Cockleburs are also said to be an important food source for many wildlife species, including birds, rodents, and deer. Again, I don’t care.
All I know is that, moving forward, I’m going to remain vigilant to ensure they don’t creep back on me. Or the dog.
NEWSMAGRENFREW 