Burdock, also known as Cockle Burr, is a biennial plant which can grow to nine feet in height. Other names include Fox's Clote, Thorny Burr, Beggar's Buttons, Cockle Buttons, Love Leaves, Burr Seed, Clothburr, Turkey Burrseed and many others.

Burdock was imported from Europe and is now widely distributed in waste areas, abandoned farms, or any uncultivated area in North America. It can also appear in gardens and lawns.

The plant produces a rosette of large leaves, produces 15 to 40 or more pink or lavender flowers, and has a taproot of up to 40 inches in length.

The plant must be eliminated before flowers ripen and form brown prickly burrs which spread seeds. Selective or spot herbicide treatment isn't always effective because of it's deep taproot. Pulling up or digging plant is most effective but entire taproot must be removed. The sooner this is done easier it is to do. Smaller plants can be dug up using a standard garden fork or dandelion digger, and larger ones using a long-handled bulb planter.

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Examples of an organic mattress include:

1. Organic cotton and wool batting innerspring mattresses with an organic cotton fabric cover. Wool is naturally fire retardant and meets all US fire codes. 2. A Natural latex mattress, whose foam is made from latex sap of rubber tree and which require no fire retardants because natural rubber does not burn well. 3. Luxury organic mattresses which use combination of all three materials, organic cotton, wool, and latex, to produce maximum comfort mattresses that rival any non-organic mattresses. 4. All organic cotton mattresses. Although cotton does not burn well, it requires a doctor’s prescription because cotton does not meet US fire resistance codes.

Organic mattresses also have comfort advantages over traditional petroleum-based foam mattresses. They wick away moisture from body much more thoroughly than clammy polyester and man-made foam, stopping night sweating and cutting down on problems like athlete’s foot and jock itch. Wool also regulates body temperature very well, which is important for a restful sleep. Natural latex foam and wool are resistant to dust mites, which cause allergies in many people, and organic cotton and latex foam are both hypoallergenic materials. Organic mattresses are also considered a must for people with chemical sensitivities.

Major North American manufacturers of organic mattresses include Vivetique/Crown City Mattress, located in South El Monte, California, Royal Pedic, headquartered in Beverly Hills, California, and Obasan, located in Ottawa, Canada. Retailers of organic mattresses include a variety of local mattress stores who carry products from these manufacturers, and nationwide web retailers, like Dax Stores, which often have best prices for these mattresses.