Kletten

Kletten is the plural form of Klette, the German common name for burdock plants of the genus Arctium in the daisy family (Asteraceae). Burdocks are typically biennial herbs native to Europe and western Asia and have become widely naturalized in other regions.

In the first year, burdock plants form a rosette of large, heart-shaped leaves. In the second year they send up tall flowering stalks that can reach substantial heights and bear heads of purplish-pink flowers. The fruits develop into burrs that cling to fur, clothing, and animal wool, which aids in seed dispersal.

Two species are most common in Europe: Arctium lappa (greater burdock) and Arctium minus (lesser burdock). Burdocks prefer disturbed soils, pastures, roadsides, and other open, sunny habitats and can become weedy in favorable conditions.

Uses and cultural notes: The roots are edible when young and are used as a vegetable in various cuisines; in East Asia, burdock root is commonly prepared as gobo. In traditional medicine, burdock has been used as a diuretic and anti-inflammatory remedy, though modern clinical evidence supporting these uses is limited.

Ecology and impact: The characteristic burrs contribute to seed dispersal and can influence the plant’s distribution in open habitats. While considered a weed in some settings, burdocks also provide a food source for certain wildlife and have historical significance in both medicine and cuisine.

In German, Kletten refers to these plants collectively; related species and cultivars belong to the Arctium genus. See also Arctium, burdock, and gobo.