American Burnweed

Erechtites hieracifolia (L.) Raf.

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

▲ ▼ young plants

▲ leaves

▲ flower buds

▲ mature plant

▲ flowers

▲ fruit

American Burnweed: 

·        Tall, mostly-unbranched, rapidly-growing summer annual weed that grows 3-9’ tall

·        Leaves and stems are bright green, fleshy, lanceolate with shallow teeth along the margin (more toward leaf-tip)

·        Flowers are in open, terminal clusters, similar to horseweed, but burnweed’s flowers are larger, and not as many as horseweed; flowers don’t open much, similar to horseweed

·        Seeds have parachutes attached that allow for wind dispersal, making mature flower clusters looking sort of feathery as fruits open to release seeds

·        Common in cultivated crops, gardens; tolerates moderate shade, but needs fairly moist, well-drained soil