Arctium
9.9
A plant in the daisy family with large leaves and sticky round seed heads
- noun
- /ˈɑrkʧiəm/
- Specialized
- The leaves of Arctium plants can grow as large as a human hand.
Examples
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Many people use Arctium roots in traditional medicine for their health benefits.
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Arctium lappa, which you'll know as burdock.
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The garden was filled with Arctium, attracting bees and butterflies with its unique flower heads.
Compounds
Surface Forms
Etymology
The word Arctium comes from the Greek root arktos meaning 'bear', because the plant's burrs stick to animal fur like a bear's coat. So thinking of a 'bear' helps you remember that Arctium is the burdock with sticky, burr-like flower heads.