* Thistle-like flower heads with small delicate purple blossoms, which become troublesome seed heads.  

* Impressively large leaves up to one foot across.

* The troublesome seed heads with hooked barbs is said to have inspired Swiss inventor George de Mestral in the 1940s in the invention of Velcro™.

* Plant introduced from Europe.

* First year roots are edible (scrubbed and boiled); young second year flower stalks edible (peeled and boiled).

* Related Greater Burdock (Arctium lappa) from Asia is cultivated as a vegetable.