Cocklebur is one of our worst weeds in soybeans. It is a prolific seed producer and competes well with the soybean plant. It is tall growing and produces a seed capsule with barbed hooks on it. This allows for distribution by wildlife. Of interest is that newly infested fields seem to have it started around the edge or near the road indicating that it probably came in the combine.
Photo by Dr. John Meade, weed scientist emeritus
Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension
Photo by Dr. John Meade, weed scientist emeritus
Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension