Primarily a weed of agronomic crops found throughout most of the US except for the Northwest. Cotyledons also have a clearly evident midvein. Margins with a few large triangular teeth. Leaves emit an unpleasant odor, especially when touched. Thick and extensively branched taproot system.
Sepals enclose the lower part of the flower.
Very stout, hollow, smooth, branching, green or more often purple, with inconspicuous hairs. Plants with large conspicuous flowers and fruit. Also, the distinctive odor of jimsonweed helps in identification. However, Common Cocklebur cotyledons lack the distinctive midvein and are generally larger and less linear than those of Jimsonweed.