There are two species of burdock- wild burdock, Arctium minus , and Japanese or Giant burdock Arctium lappa . Wildcrafted burdock is most likely Arctium minus .
Most people know burdock from the velcro-like burrs that attach to one's clothing or canines.
In the second year, the taproot's energy is used to produce a seed stalk and 'burrs'. While burdock seed is harvested in the fall of the second year, the root is harvested in the fall of the first year, or overwintered and dug early the next spring. We plant burdock in fertile soils amended with compost and rock minerals. The long roots are harvested by hand after loosening the soil with a tractor pulled blade. The roots are thoroughly washed in a tumbler washer before packing fresh or cutting up for drying.