The weed's growth is sometimes so dense that cattle ana sheep cannot get access to watering places. It is a major weed of irrigated soya beans, maize, sunflowers and cotton. Noogoora burr reduces production in crops and pasture by competing for moisture, nutrients and light. However Noogoora burr is mainly an important weed because of the hooked spines on the burr which tangle in wool. Description Noogoora burr stems grow normally up to 2.5 metres in height but occasionally reach four metres.
Isolated plants have a branched stem, however plants growing in a clump are usually single stemmed.
The stems lack spines, unlike Bathurst burr, but have a fine bristly covering. Stems are often arranged in a zig-zag manner and usually carry purplish blotches or streaks in young plants. Noogoora burr has a deep taproot and an extensive root system. The leaves are similar in shape to a grapevine leaf with prominent veins. They have minute bristles on both surfaces and jagged edges.