We use cookies to make your experience better. To comply with the new e-Privacy directive, we need to ask for your consent to set the cookies. Learn more.
Weeds
- Latin Name: Circaea Lutetiana
- Latin Family Name: Onagraceae
- Common Name: Broadleaf Enchanter's Nightshade
- Other Names: N/A
Origin:
Native to North America, and occurring from Maine south to Georgia, and west in all states to the Rocky Mountains.
Biology:
A perennial plant that reproduces from seeds, but spreads by its underground rootstock. Usually found in shaded, moist soils, growing well among other thick foliage.
Identification:
Mature plants can be over 3 feet in height, with long, stiff stems. Leaves are opposite on long stalks, and they are elongated spade shaped with sharply pointed tips and slightly toothed margins. The flowers arise alternately along the upper stalk, occurring on long, thin stalks leading to individual flowers. These are small with 4 white petals, and the 2 large sepals open
- Latin Name: Erodium botrys
- Latin Family Name: Geraniaceae
- Common Name: Broadleaf Filaree
- Other Names: Filaree, long-beaked filaree
Origin:
Introduced to the United States from the Mediterranean.
Biology:
Annual broadleaf weed. Its seeds germinate in the fall through early spring, making it one of the earliest weeds to grow each year. Plant matures in late spring with heavy seed production and then it dies off.
Identification:
Mature plant may be prostrate or sub-erect, either reaching around 1.5 feet in height, or with stems growing outward close to the ground, and then curving upward at the ends. Short, whitish hairs grow sparsely along the stem. Leaves are simple, in that they are heavily lobed, but are not divided into leaflets on the stem the way redstem and whitestem filaree are. The deep lobes
- Latin Name: Plantago Major
- Latin Family Name: Plantaginaceae
- Common Name: Broadleaf Plantain
- Other Names: Dooryard plantain, common plantain, ripple-seed plantain
Origin:
Native to Europe, but naturalized and now found commonly throughout the United States and southern Canada.
Biology:
Perennial weeds that will re-grow from the crowns and roots. In mild climates the basal leaves will remain, but in colder climates the foliage dies back. While plants re-grow from the roots, the reproduction is by seeds that germinate in late spring through mid-summer, and in early fall. Plants prefer moist, nutrient-rich soils, but are tolerant of any landscape habitat and commonly are found in dry, compacted soils. They also tolerate close mowing and are a serious turf weed pest.
Identification:
Mature plants have leaves
- Latin Name: Portulaca Amilis
- Latin Family Name: Portulacaceae
- Common Name: Broadleaf Pink Purslane
- Other Names: Paraguayan purslane
Origin:
Native to South America, and found in the United States from North Carolina to all of Florida.
Biology:
An summer annual plant that grows in a prostrate, spreading habit, potentially forming thick mats over the soil. Plants favor open, disturbed habitats and flowering occurs from midsummer into early fall.
Identification:
Mature plants form thick mats on the soil. Stems and leaves are very thick and fleshy, with the leaves only about ½ inch long, but wide and flat, and crowded along the stems. Lighter-colored hairs can be found in the axils of the leaves. Flowers occur at the ends of the stems, and they are about ½ inch in diameter and have 5 bright
- Latin Name: Senecio Spartioides
- Latin Family Name: Asteraceae
- Common Name: Broom Groundsel
- Other Names: Broom-like Ragwort
Origin:
Native to the western United States.
Biology:
A perennial plant that will grow large and shrub-like. There is a strong taproot and the crown of the plant is woody. Plants are most common on sandy, well-drained sites. Plant tissues are poisonous to livestock, containing pyrrolizidine alkaloids that cause toxicity to the liver.
Identification:
Mature plants grow almost 4 feet tall, with a primary stem that branches many times along its upper length. The leaves are thin and very long, and they are not divided, which distinguishes this species from Riddell groundsel, which has divided leaves. Leaves are smooth. Flowers occur in dense clusters at the ends of the many stems, appearing
- Latin Name: Plantago Lanceolata
- Latin Family Name: Plantaginaceae
- Common Name: Buckhorn Plantain
- Other Names: English plantain, narrowleaf plantain, rib-grass, ribwort, black-jacks, buck plantain, blue-jacks, black plantain, ribbed plantain, ribwort plantain, ribleaf, lamb's tongue, buckhorn
Origin:
Introduced from Europe, and now found throughout the United States and Canada.
Biology:
A short-lived perennial or sometimes a biennial. Buckhorn plantain is a common weed problem in waste areas, turf, landscape, many crop situations, and moist areas. It is tolerant of dry, compacted soils and is able to adapt to close mowing of turf. Reproduction is from seeds as well as re-growth of shoots from the base of the parent plant. Seeds can germinate and seedlings can survive even in dense, well maintained turf. This is one of the host food
- Latin Name: Cardamine Bulbosa
- Latin Family Name: Brassicaceae
- Common Name: Bulbous Bittercress
- Other Names: Spring cress
Origin:
Native to North America, and found in nearly every state east of the Rocky Mountains.
Biology:
A perennial plant that reproduces from seeds, this plant can be found in moist soils in waste areas, disturbed sites, along roadsides, and in landscapes. Plants are edible and may be used to impart a peppery flavor to foods.
Identification:
Mature plants are upright with many stems arising from the base, and short branches off the main stems. Plants can be nearly 2 feet in height, and with a bulbous rootstock. Basal leaves tend to be on short stalks while upper leaves are sessile. The stem is thick but hollow, and shows lighter colored veins along its length. Leaves are lance-shaped
- Latin Name: Symphyotrichum dumosum (formerly Aster dumosus)
- Latin Family Name: Asteraceae
- Common Name: Bushy Aster
- Other Names: Rice button aster
Origin:
Native to North America, and found throughout the entire eastern half of the United States, west to Texas.
Biology:
A perennial weed that reproduces from seeds and spreads with an extensive system of rhizomes. Plants grow generally upright to sprawling, and may be bushy or may adapt to mowing and stay low to the soil. This is a common weed in poorly maintained turf, along roadsides, in waste areas and other disturbed sites.
Identification:
Mature plants can grow to 2 feet in height or have more prostrate stems in mowed areas. Extensive branching gives it a bushy appearance, and stems are wiry. Leaves are alternate, narrow and elongate, with smooth margins.
- Latin Name: Medicago Polymorpha
- Latin Family Name: Fabaceae
- Common Name: Burclover
- Other Names: Medic, California burclover, toothed burclover, toothed medick, burr medic
Origin:
Native to Eurasia, and now widespread in the western United States.
Biology:
An annual or short-lived perennial that reproduces by seed. It was introduced as a forage crop in range pasture, but it also is a problem weed in cultivated crops, turf, and landscape. Its spiny seed balls are a major health problem for long-haired pets or livestock, such as sheep.
Identification:
Very similar to Black Medic, but differs by the presence of the spiny seed pods and its more trailing habit. Mature plants trail along the ground, with the tips sometimes ascending or growing up into landscape foliage. Stems may grow to 2 feet in length and
- Latin Name: Spermacoce Assurgens
- Latin Family Name: Rubiaceae
- Common Name: Bushy Buttonweed
- Other Names: Woodland false buttonweed
Origin:
Found in warm, humid climates of most continents, as well as Hawaii, the West Indies, and from Florida to Louisiana. Considered a native in the U.S., but also found throughout Latin America and in Asia.
Biology:
An annual weed reproducing from seeds. Plants flower throughout the warm months. These are many-branched weeds with thin, weak stems that tend to grow prostrate along the ground or through turf, making them tolerant of low-mowing and difficult to remove physically.
Identification:
Stems are thin and potentially very long, with few or no hairs on them. Leaves are opposite and are elongate oval with sharply pointed tips and a sharp base on a short petiole. The