Xanthium strumarium
Uses
China: seeds ground into flour and baked into cakes. Young leafy shoots thoroughly boiled and washed to remove bitter element, possibly tannin, as the plant is an active styptic. Manchuria: leaves eaten.
Additional Information
- Name Authority:
- L.
- Misc:
- Chemical composition (seeds): Protein = 36.7%. Fat = 38.6%. Ash = 5.18%. A glucoside: xanthostrumarium. Some Vitamin C. High amino acid values: Glutamic acid = 2.48g per 16g of nitrogen. Phenylalanine = 5.8g per 16g of nitrogen. Plant reported to be injurious at all stages of growth, and to act toxically on the heart.