This species of Goatshead Burr (Sclerolaena bicornis), gets it common name from the two horns on the fruit — bi (from the Latin two) and cornu (from the Latin horn).

Goatshead Burr (Sclerolaena bicornis), Ilparpa Claypans, Alice Springs NT
Goatshead Burr (Sclerolaena bicornis), Central Australia NT

Belonging to the genus Sclerolaena that include the commonly known copperburrs, prickle bushes and bindyi, there are several species of Sclerolaena that are common in Central Australia. The Sclerolaena is a favourite of native birds.

Goatshead Burr (Sclerolaena bicornis), Ilparpa Claypans, Alice Springs NT
Goatshead Burr (Sclerolaena bicornis), Central Australia NT

The Goatshead Burr is a branching small shrub that is up to 60 cm high. Distinctive with the white woolly hairs and 2 spines on the fruit.

Goatshead Burr (Sclerolaena bicornis), Ilparpa Claypans, Alice Springs NT
Goatshead Burr (Sclerolaena bicornis), Central Australia NT

  • Scientific classification
  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Clade: Tracheophytes
  • Clade: Angiosperms
  • Clade: Eudicots
  • Order: Caryophyllales
  • Family: Amaranthaceae
  • Genus: Sclerolaena
  • Species: Sclerolaena bicornis

Footnote & References

  1. Sclerolaena A Guide to Identifying a Prickly Native, Land for Wildlife, Central Australia, https://wildlife.lowecol.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/25/Sclerolaena.pdf