Common burdock
Arctium minus
A biennial with large broad leaves, purple flower heads and hooked burrs. It grows in disturbed ground and woodland edges. Identified first-year roots have culinary uses, and immature flower stalks also have documented uses before flowering; older roots become woody.
Native range
Europe, western Asia and North Africa; introduced in North America.
Typical season
Root quality depends on the plant's first-year stage, not just the month; stalk use is before flowering. Digging is destructive. No single reviewed local calendar is assigned to these different food parts.
Identification
Compare the large leaves with woolly undersides, branched flowering stems and hooked burrs. Great burdock (Arctium lappa) is a separate local species and the usual cultivated gobo reference. Large leaves alone cannot identify a root; rule out unrelated plants before digging. Roots need thorough cleaning and reviewed preparation, and removal needs landowner permission.