An erect, much branched annual herb that grows up to three feet high. About one inch long spines are found in leaf axils and at stem nodes. The leaves are shiny dark green and hairy on the upper surface and downy beneath. The leaves are mostly three-lobed with the center lobe much longer than the other two, and up to three inches long. The flowers are small, inconspicuous, and creamy green. The male flowers are found at the top of the stems and the female flowers are formed lower on the stems. The fruit is more or less an egg-shaped burr, up to one-half inch long, armed with numerous hooked spines, some with one or two straight terminal spines. There are two seeds per burr, flattened, three-eighths inch long and brown in color.

The whole plant is an active styptic for both local and general application. It is also diaphoretic, diuretic and sedative. An infusion of the root has been used as an emetic

Plants For A Future

The plant is valuable in the treatment of hydrophobia.