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Weeds
- Latin Name: Geranium carolinianum
- Latin Family Name: Geraniaceae
- Common Name: Carolina Geranium
- Other Names: Crane's-bill, Carolina crane's-bill, wild geranium
Origin:
Native to the United States, and widely distributed in the United States.
Biology:
Usually an annual broadleaf, occasionally a biennial. Found in most soil situations – roadsides, ditchbanks, turf and landscape, waste areas, and in crops. Seeds germinate early to late spring and plants mature from summer to fall.
Identification:
Mature plant may be over 2 feet tall and with many branches coming out of a central point. Most often stems spread on the ground and curve upward. Leaves are oval or circular, but deeply lobed, and each lobe is again toothed or lobed. Flowers are generally in pairs on short stalks, with tiny pink petals.
- Latin Name: Axonopus Affinis
- Latin Family Name: Poaceae
- Common Name: Carpetgrass
- Other Names: N/A
Origin:
Found throughout the world in mild climates, and in the U.S. in the eastern half of the country.
Biology:
A perennial grass which reproduces by either seeds or stolons, and which is capable of forming thick stands over open soils, and a noticeable presence in turf. It may even be used deliberately in combination with other grass varieties where soil retention is needed in unmaintained areas.
Identification:
Leaf blades are smooth on both upper and lower surfaces, but there are a few hairs on the margin of the sheath at the base of the leaf, and the nodes on the stems are densely hairy. The leaf blades are wide, with the tip of the blade distinctly rounded. Seed heads are similar to crabgrass, with
- Latin Name: Mollugo Verticillata
- Latin Family Name: Molluginaceae
- Common Name: Carpetweed
- Other Names: Indian chickweed
Origin:
Native to tropical America, now distributed widely in the U.S.
Biology:
Mature plant is well branched, and forms a mat on the soil surface that may reach a diameter of 20 inches. In landscape plantings the stems may twine up and over the tops of other plants. Seeds germinate in late spring and the plant matures in late summer.
Identification:
Generally low-growing and mat-forming, with thin, multi-branching stems. Leaves occur in whorls around the stem, in groups of 3 to 6 leaves, with tiny white flowers occurring in the axils of the leaves. Leaves are thin and up to 1 inch long, narrowly spatulate shaped. Flowers are small and inconspicuous, blooming from mid-summmer to fall,
- Latin Name: Galium Aparine
- Latin Family Name: Rubiaceae
- Common Name: Catchweed Bedstraw
- Other Names: Cleavers, bedstraw, catchweed, goose-grass, scratch-grass, grip-grass
Origin:
Native to North America and widespread across the continent.
Biology:
Either a summer or winter annual, depending on the climate it occurs in. It is a climbing, mat-forming broadleaf that is able to attach to other plants by means of its short prickly hairs that cover the stems and leaves. Reproduction is by seeds that will germinate at any time of the year except winter, in cool, moist conditions.
Identification:
Mat forming and vinelike as it grows, often covering other plants with its dense systems of stems. Stems are square and with prickles on the ridges and the leaves, allowing it to cling to other plants. Leaves are hairy
- Latin Name: Chichorium Intybus
- Latin Family Name: Asteraceae
- Common Name: Chicory
- Other Names: N/A
Origin:
Native to Europe, but now found throughout the United States, and especially abundant in the northern and western states where it is a common roadside weed.
Biology:
A perennial plant that begins with a basal rosette of leaves laying prostrate, and produces numerous stems through the growing season. Basal leaves and the taproot have a white milky sap that is bitter tasting, but still the roots have been used as a substitute for coffee. The plant may be grown for human consumption, but is capable of causing allergic dermatitis in people. Propagation is from seeds.
Identification:
Mature plants may be as tall as 3 feet, with a strong taproot and numerous stems. Stems are nearly devoid of leaves and
- Latin Name: Trifolium Glomeratum
- Latin Family Name: Fabaceae
- Common Name: Clustered Clover
- Other Names: Bush clover
Origin:
Native to Europe, but introduced to North America where it now is found uncommonly in the southeast states as well as California, Oregon, and Hawaii.
Biology:
An annual propagating from seeds. Growth habit is low and spreading, plants generally staying under 1 foot in height. Found along roadsides and other disturbed habitats, as well as in poorly managed turf.
Identification:
Green leaves and reddish stems are covered with fine white hairs. The leaves are typical of clovers, with a long stem and 3 distinctly separated lobes that are wide and pointed at the tip. The flower head emerges from the leaf axils and is large and spherical, with the numerous white to pinkish flowers protruding
- Latin Name: Amsinckia Intermedia
- Latin Family Name: Boraginaceae
- Common Name: Coast Fiddleneck
- Other Names: Fiddleneck, common fiddleneck, fingerweed, rancher’s fireweed, yellow burnweed, yellow burweed, yellow forgetmenot, yellow tarweed
Origin:
Coast fiddleneck is native to Oregon and California.
Biology:
A winter annual – seeds germinate from November through early spring, with plants maturing in early summer and dying once hot weather arrives.
Identification:
Most characteristic is the flower stalk, which is curled in the shape of the neck of a violin, giving this weed its common name. Flowers are very small, orange, and arranged in rows along the sides of the terminal stems. Leaves are 1 to 4 inches long, arranged alternately along the stems, and lance shaped and very hairy and bristly
- Latin Name: Stellaria Media
- Latin Family Name: Caryophyllaceae
- Common Name: Common Chickweed
- Other Names: Starwort, starweed, winterweed, satin flower
Origin:
Introduced from Europe, and now widely distributed throughout the United States and Canada.
Biology:
An annual that reproduces from seed. Weak stems grow in a creeping, vine-like manner and will root at the nodes. Plants need cool habitat, and can survive through the summer in moist, shaded locations, even behaving somewhat as a perennial.
Identification:
Mature plants have numerous weak stems, and stems have a line of hairs on one side. Similar to several other species of chickweeds, but other kinds have much hairier leaves. Plants may climb into other foliage, but alone will form low mats over the ground. Leaves are spade-shaped and up to 1.5
- Latin Name: Potentilla Canadensis
- Latin Family Name: Rosaceae
- Common Name: Common Cinquefoil
- Other Names: Dwarf cinquefoil, Canada dwarf cinquefoil
Origin:
A native plant found throughout the eastern third of the United States, and west to Wisconsin, Arkansas, and Texas.
Biology:
A perennial weed that reproduces from seeds, but spreads by rhizomes and stolons. It is found commonly in turf and landscape, thriving best in poorly maintained conditions. It also is found along roadsides and in disturbed sites, and in meadows, wooded areas, and open fields. Many cinquefoils are sold as ornamental ground coverings, and can become invasive from the site where planted.
Identification:
Mature plants are low-growing with prostrate stems and foliage. Stems are thin and tough, and branch frequently. The stems are
Latin Name: Senecio Vulgaris
Common Name: Common Groundsel
Other Names: Grimsel, ragwort, Old Man in the Spring, simson, groundsel, bird-seed
Pest Details
Origin:
Introduced from Europe, and now widespread in the northern United States and Canada, and as far south as Texas and throughout the western states. An extremely common winter and spring weed.
Biology:
A winter annual reproducing from seeds, and plants are capable of a heavy production of weed-blown seeds. Germination may continue throughout the spring and summer, with several generations of the weed possible in one year. Foliage and stems contain toxic alkaloids that can cause liver damage in horses and cattle, although sheep, rabbits, and goats appear resistant to the toxin.
Identification:
Mature plants can grow as high as 2 feet, and may be heavily branched and with thick foliage. Stems are weak and tend to bend with the weight of the developing flower