BURDOCK (Gobo): Except for its flower/seed head (which is the baneful fall burr), burdock or gobo is all edible. Its long, young roots, heart-shaped leaves and second year stem (before blooming) are very tasty; reminiscent of artichoke in flavour.
Zone: 3-8
Height: 2m (6 ft)
Spread: 1 m (3 ft)
Bloom: June - purple thistle drying into burr
Seed: sprout for food
Light: Full sun to shade
Soil and moisture: Tolerant of variety; for root harvest, best grown in sandy soil
Garden locations: Statuesque plant; site where burrs will not be a problem (or cut stem before burrs shed)!
BURDOCK/Gobo 'Shosaku' (Arctium lappa)
Burdock is an important medicinal herb in both Chinese and Western herbal medicine. In general, its dried roots are used to detoxify, but most parts of this plant have medicinal properties.
