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Weeds
Latin Name: Galium Tinctorium
Common Name: Marsh Bedstraw
Other Names: Stiff marsh bedstraw, dyer’s woodruff
Pest Details
Origin:
Native to North America, and found throughout the eastern half of the U.S. and Canada, and west to Texas and possibly Arizona.
Biology:
A perennial weed reproducing from seeds. The plant is almost vine-like in its growth, with its thin stems rapidly growing over the top of other foliage. Usually found in moist habitats in ditches, marshes, or along roadsides.
Identification:
Stems are extremely long and thin, with sparse foliage and many branches. Along the stems there are angles, with downward-pointing, rough hairs at these locations. The leaves are whorled, with 4 to 6 long, thin leaves at each node. The tiny white flowers occur in small clusters at the tips of the stems.
Characteristicts Important to Control:
Preventive control in turf or landscape with pre-emergent herbicides,
Latin Name: Cerastium Vulgatum
Common Name: Mouse-ear Chickweed
Other Names: Large mouseear chickweed, mouse-ear
Pest Details
Origin:
Native to Europe, and now found throughout most of the United States and southern Canada.
Biology:
A perennial plant that can be a problem weed in turf. It is a very low-growing, mat-forming plant that can root at nodes along the stem. While the leaves are small the stems can grow up to 20 inches long, twining along the soil. It easily tolerates close mowing, and where turf is not mowed frequently the plants can form mounds up to 10 inches high. Propagation is from seeds that germinate at any time in warm weather. Plants also spread by the stolons. While foliage may die back in hot, dry weather it normally remains green through the winter.
Identification:
Plant features are very small, and may be overlooked in its early stages when growing in turf. Stems are prostrate and vine-like,
Latin Name: Chenopodium Berlandieri
Common Name: Netseed Lambsquarters
Other Names: N/A
Pest Details
Origin:
Native to Europe, and now established in the western United States.
Biology:
An annual broadleaf weed, with rapid growth and high requirement for water, making it a dominant weed where it grows. A problem in landscape and cultivated crops, as well as roadsides and waste areas. Serves as a host to beet leafhopper, which transmits diseases to certain crops. Seeds germinate in early spring, and plants mature in mid-summer, with flowering and production of new seeds in mid to late summer.
Identification:
Mature plants may grow as tall as 6 feet, with a central stem but extensive lateral branching. Stems often are striped with pink or purple. Leaves occur alternately on the stems, with the lower leaves usually having wavy to lobed margins, while upper leaves may have smooth margins and are narrower. The lower
Latin Name: Dactylis Glomerata
Common Name: Orchardgrass
Other Names: Cock’s foot, cocksfoot
Pest Details
Origin:
Native to Eurasia, now widespread throughout much of the United States.
Biology:
A perennial bunchgrass, with short underground rhizomes. Cultivated as a desirable pasture grass in some areas, as well as a cover crop. Escapes from cultivation, however, have caused it to become a pest problem in other crops and along roadsides. Reproduction is from seed, but the underground stems will not spread the plant. The plants tolerate mowing, and tillage may act to enlarge the plant’s crown. Plants remain green year-round. Seed germination occurs in early winter, and plants mature throughout the summer months.
Identification:
Mature plants may grow over 3 feet tall, with leaves arising from the base as well as along the stems. Leaf blades are bluish green, up to 12 inches long, and somewhat rough along the
Latin Name: Orthocarpus Purpurascens
Common Name: Owl's Clover
Other Names: Red owl clover, common owl’s clover, escobita
Pest Details
Origin:
A native plant that is widely distributed in the western United States, south into Mexico and north into southern Canada.
Biology:
An annual plant found commonly in open fields, along roadsides and vacant lots, in native pastures and in most disturbed sites. It also can be a weed in cultivated crops and orchards. Flowering begins in early spring and plants die by late spring in most habitats.
Identification:
Mature plants are usually no more than 1.5 feet tall, as erect, multiple branched plants, with branches arising from the base to near the top of the main stem. Stems are narrow but rigid, and are covered with shaggy hairs and are a reddish color. The leaves are separated into several long, thin lobes that do not quite meet the midrib. Flowers are reddish
Latin Name: Polygonum Pensylvanicum
Common Name: Pennsylvania Smartweed
Other Names: Swamp persicary, glandular persicary, purple head, pinkweed, hearts-ease
Pest Details
Origin:
Native to eastern North America, and introduced to the western states where it now can be found throughout most of the continent.
Biology:
An annual weed that reproduces from seeds. Plants favor moist soils, but will tolerate growth on most habitats, including roadsides, landscapes, and in many crop settings. Generally it is not a problem in turf.
Identification:
Plants have fairly weak stems that may grow either erect or sprawling, with growth to nearly 2 feet in height. Stems have multiple branching and are green to reddish, swollen at the joints and with the characteristic papery sheath (ocrea) around the joint and the bases of the leaves there. Leaves are shiny green and smooth, alternate, and lanceolate to somewhat
Latin Name: Hydrocotyle Spp.
Common Name: Pennywort
Other Names: Dollar weed, marsh pennywort, navelwort
Pest Details
Origin:
At least 15 species of Hydrocotyle occur in the United States and Hawaii, all very similar in appearance and habits. Most are native plants that occur primarily in warmer, more tropical climates.
Biology:
These are perennial plants that reproduce from seeds and spread rapidly by their rhizomes. Some larger-leaved varieties are aquatic and occur along marshes or pond margins, and all species favor a habitat with excessive moisture. Some are a serious turf pest.
Identification:
Pennywort, or Dollarweed, is easily identified by its thick, shiny, round leaves which attach to their stalk at the center of the leaf, creating an “umbrella” shape. The stalk is very long and upright, and leaves have distinctly scalloped margins. The flowers occur in clusters at the ends of stalks that
Latin Name: Lepidium Latifolium
Common Name: Perennial Pepperweed
Other Names: Broad-leaved peppergrass, Virginia pepperweed, perennial peppergrass, perennial peppercress, slender perennial peppercress, tall whitetop, giant whitetop.
Pest Details
Origin:
Native to Europe and western Asia, now widely distributed throughout the United States and into Mexico.
Biology:
A perennial weed with foliage that dies back in the winter, with regrowth from the roots beginning in late winter to early spring. Propagation also is by seeds that germinate in early spring. Plants begin to flower in late spring and seeds mature throughout the summer.
Identification:
Mature plants grow to over 3 feet tall, with large production of white flowers in clusters at the ends of the stems. Multiple branches and stems come from the strong crown of the plant, and it also has an extensive, creeping root system. Leaves are produced along the
Latin Name: Lolium Perenne
Common Name: Perennial Ryegrass
Other Names: English ryegrass
Pest Details
Origin:
Native to Europe, but now widely distributed throughout the United States.
Biology:
A perennial grass, widely cultivated as a pasture grass as well as a turf variety. As an escape from cultivation it is a problem in crops, roadsides, and ditchbanks, especially favoring moist areas. Flowering occurs in late spring into early summer.
Identification:
Mature plants grow to 2 feet tall, and foliage dies back in the winter with regrowth from roots. Stems are erect or somewhat spreading at the base, with a reddish tint. Italian ryegrass plants are generally taller, reaching 3 feet. Leaves are dark green, up to 8 inches long, and only ¼ inch wide. Where the leaf blade joins the sheath at the stem there are no “ear-like” projections, as there are on Italian ryegrass. Another difference is that on Perennial ryegrass
Latin Name: Veronica Persica
Common Name: Persian Speedwell
Other Names: Birdseye speedwell, Byzantine speedwell, winter speedwell
Pest Details
Origin:
Native to Europe and now widespread in North America.
Biology:
An annual broadleaf weed that may invade many crops, including alfalfa, and is of major importance as a pest in turf and landscape. Seeds germinate in late summer, fall, or early spring, or throughout the growing season where they remain cool and moist.
Identification:
Mature plants spread low along the ground, with multiple branches radiating from the base of the plant. When growing in shade or among competing plants the stems may grow upright. Stems are covered with long, fine hairs. Leaves along the lower area of the stem are opposite each other on the stem and are egg-shaped or round with rounded teeth along the edges. Leaves on the flowering parts of the stem are alternate on the stem.