Canada Cocklebur

Xanthium orientale

Native to Kentucky (estimated)

Photographs are not available yet.

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

13CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including KY

Genus host records with ranges including KY · Xanthium

Adaina ambrosiaeAmbrosia Plume Moth, Ragweed Plume Moth
Epiblema strenuanaRagweed Borer
Eucosma ochrocephalaPale-Headed Phaneta
Euxoa detersaRubbed Dart, Sandhill Cutworm
Feltia subterraneaSubterranean Dart, Granulate Cutworm
Helicoverpa zeaCorn Earworm Moth
Ogdoconta cinereolaCommon Pinkband Groundling
Ostrinia obumbratalisSmartweed Borer
Papaipema nebrisStalk Borer
Rachiplusia ouGray Looper

Show all 13

Spodoptera frugiperdaFall Armyworm Moth
Spodoptera ornithogalliYellow-Striped Armyworm Moth, Cotton Cutworm
Vanessa carduiPainted Lady, Cosmopolite

Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)

0BeesSoutheastern regional records

0Specialist beesPollen specialists

5BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

Recorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim · Xanthium

Agelaius phoeniceusRed-winged Blackbird
Molothrus aterBrown-headed Cowbird
Ortalis vetulaPlain Chachalaca
Quiscalus quisculaCommon Grackle
Sturnus vulgarisEuropean Starling

Hurlbert, Olsen, Sawyer & Winner 2021, Avian Diet Database, Scientific Data 8: 260 (CC0)

No records yet · Ants · Beetles · Flies · Adult butterflies / moths · Other wasps · Other insects

Growing and identification

Plant details

Family: Asteraceae

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope

Light · “Full sun (documented habitat)” · FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team) · Carolinas and Georgia
Soil · “Dry; Moist; Wet (documented habitat)” · FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team) · Carolinas and Georgia

Also known as

Canada Cocklebur

Conservation status

Kentucky rank	SNR
Global rank	G5T5 [G5]
KY status	Not verified
Federal status	Not verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

In your garden

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