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Latin Name: Eleusine Indica
Common Name: Goosegrass
Other Names: Silver crabgrass, wire-grass, yard-grass, crowfoot grass, crows-foot grass, bullgrass
Pest Details
Origin:Introduced from Europe, but now found throughout most of the United States.
Biology:
A summer annual grass, with seeds germinating in early to mid-summer when soil temperatures exceed 65 degrees F. It germinates several weeks later than crabgrass, requiring the slightly warmer soil temperatures.
Identification:Mature plants grow as tall as 3 feet, with a spreading characteristic at the base and numerous stems. It does not root at the nodes that may touch the soil. Leaf blades are folded at the midvein and may be 1/4 inch wide by up to 8 inches long. Leaf surfaces are either smooth or sparsely hairy, with a rough feel to the edges. Several leaves may arise near the same point on the stem, and their sheaths overlap. The collar at the
Latin Name: Setaria Viridis
Common Name: Green Foxtail
Other Names: Bottle grass, green bristle grass, pigeon grass, wild millet
Pest Details
Origin:Native to Europe, now common throughout much of the United States, especially in cooler climates. A particular problem in alfalfa fields, but also occurring in other row crops, along roadsides, waste areas, and in landscape.
Biology:
A summer annual grass weed. Seeds germinate in early spring and plants mature throughout the summer months.
Identification:Mature plants form large clumps due to the extensive branching and multiple stems arising from the base. These stems characteristically bend at the lower joint, and may grow as high as 2.5 feet. Leaves are flattened, usually no more than around 6 inches long, and are a hairless, shiny green on both upper and lower surfaces. The collar region where the leaf base surrounds the stem may be tinged reddish. Flower spikes
Latin Name: Glechoma Hederacea
Common Name: Ground Ivy
Other Names: Gill-over-the-ground, creeping Charlie, cats-foot, field balm, hay-maids
Pest Details
Origin:Native to Eurasia, but introduced to North America as a garden and herbal plant. It now is found throughout North America to Alaska, with the exception of the dry southwestern states of Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico.
Biology:
A perennial that reproduces by seeds, but more commonly it spreads by creeping stems that root at their nodes and by rhizomes. In warmer climates plants remain green throughout the year, while in colder areas foliage dies back and new growth emerges from the roots and rhizomes. Stems are prostrate along the soil, capable of forming dense mats of growth that crowd out other vegetation. A strong mint-like odor is given off by damaged plant parts. A common problem in turf and landscaped areas, especially where shaded.
Identification:Latin Name: Lamium Amplexicaule
Common Name: Henbit
Other Names: Dead nettle, blind nettle, bee nettle, giraffe head.
Pest Details
Origin:Native to Europe, but now spread throughout North America.
Biology:
A winter annual broadleaf. Found in turf and landscapes, orchards or nurseries, and in many crop settings. In favorable environments it may act as a biennial or even a short-lived perennial. Reproduction is from seed, with seedlings emerging in both fall and very early spring, when soil temperatures are cool and moisture is available.
Identification:Mature plants generally grow no taller than about 1 foot. Stems begin growth lying close to the ground, but then curve and grow upright. The sections of the stem touching the ground may root at the nodes. Stems are somewhat square, green to purple, and hairless. Leaves are less than 1 inch long and are broadly oval with scalloped edges. They are opposite
Latin Name: Solanum Carolinense
Common Name: Horsenettle
Other Names: Bull nettle, apple-of-Sodom, wild tomato, devil’s tomato, devil’s potato, sand briar
Pest Details
Origin:Native to the southeastern United States, but now spread from coast to coast and occurring in almost every state, as well as into southern Canada.
Biology:
A perennial plant that reproduces from seeds, but commonly spreads by rhizomes that can sprout as far away as 3 feet from the parent plant. All parts of the plant contain toxic glycoalkaloid solanine and may cause gastrointestinal problems if ingested. However, due to the spiny nature of the leaves and stems the plants are not often eaten by livestock. Plants thrive in sandy or gravelly soils, but may be a problem in many kinds of crops as well as along roadsides or in disturbed sites.
Identification:Mature plants can be as tall as 3 feet and tend to grow in an upright manner,
Latin Name: Conyza Canadensis
Common Name: Horseweed
Other Names: Mare’s tail, colt’s tail, cow’s tail, butter-weed, pride-weed, Canada fleabane, fleabane
Pest Details
Origin:Native to North America and widely distributed throughout the continent.
Biology:
A winter or summer annual with seeds geminating in the summer or fall to form a basal rosette of leaves. As the stem elongates these basal leaves tend to deteriorate. The central stalk of the plant can grow over 6 feet tall as a thick, strong stem that persists well into the winter. Reproduction is only from seeds, and plants grow easily in almost any soil condition, including cultivated crops. It is a common and conspicuous roadside weed that forms dense forests of the tall plants.
Identification:Mature plants have a tall central stem that is very hairy and has a bristly feel to it, with extensive short branches along the upper half. Leaves are
Latin Name: Lolium Multiflorum
Common Name: Italian Ryegrass
Other Names: Annual ryegrass, Australian ryegrass, ryegrass
Pest Details
Origin:A native of Europe, and now widespread throughout the United States.
Biology:
Normally an annual grass weed, but under moderate climates it may behave as either a biennial or a short-lived perennial. This introduced grass is used to over-seed bermudagrass lawns in the winter, when Bermuda grass dies back and the ryegrass provides green turf until the bermuda re-grows. It also grows readily on any other soil condition, including in crops, roadsides, landscape, and in turf when not wanted. Seeds germinate through the spring and again from late summer into the fall.
Identification:Mature plants grow as high as 3 feet, and plants tend to form clumps. The stems are reddish at the base, as are the sheaths at the base of leaves. Within the bud the leaf is rolled, distinguishing
Latin Name: Sorghum Halepense
Common Name: Johnsongrass
Other Names: Aleppo grass, Cuba grass, Egyptian millet, evergreen millet, false guineagrass, maidencane, meansgrass, St. Mary’s grass, syriagrass
Pest Details
Origin:Native to the Mediterranean region, but deliberately introduced to the United States as a grass desirable for forage. Now widespread throughout the warm regions of the U.S. where it is a severe pest weed problem.
Biology:
A perennial grass weed that spreads either by seeds or by its underground rhizomes. It has become a problem in all crops, orchards, vineyards, ditch banks, roadsides, and other situations. While normally a good forage crop, under stress or drought conditions, or due to severe frost, it can form hydrocyanic acid which accumulates in the plant and then becomes toxic to grazing animals.
Identification:Mature plants can be very tall and spreading – up to 8 feet tall with very
Latin Name: Echinochloa Colona
Common Name: Jungle Rice
Other Names: Small barnyard grass, water grass, finger grass
Pest Details
Origin:Native to Europe, and now widespread throughout the west and southwest United States. Found commonly in both cultivated fields and in waste areas.
Biology:
A summer annual grass propagating from seed. Early growth may be somewhat prostrate, as leaves growing on the soil surface. Mature plant may remain low growing, but stems tend to turn upward, and when in competition with other plants the grass will grow upright to 3 feet tall. Stems that lay on the soil may root at the lower nodes.
Identification:Mature plants grow to 3 feet tall, with stems bending upward at the lower nodes. Stems are flattened. Leaves are smooth and flat, about 1/4 inch wide and up to 6 inches long. Where they attach to the stem there is no ligule or auricle. Leaves often with purple bands
Latin Name: Pennisetum Clandestinum
Common Name: Kikuyugrass
Other Names: N/A
Pest Details
Origin:Native to tropical Africa, but introduced deliberately to California as a cover along slopes and ditch banks for erosion control. As a very fast growing grass it also has been used for a turfgrass, but it is capable of escaping and invading other grasses where it is objectionable.
Biology:
A perennial that grows very rapidly, and reproduces from seeds or by underground rhizomes, and also spreads quickly by its above-ground stolons, that easily root at the numerous nodes. Growth is particularly rapid in the warmest months when temperatures are above 70 degrees. Seeds are produced in late summer.
Identification:The mature plant grows as a low mat, spreading by underground rhizomes and above ground stolons, with rooting taking place at the stolons. Short leaves are also produced at the nodes on the stolons, and they