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Latin Name: Scleranthus Annuus
Common Name: Knawel
Other Names: German knotweed, German knotgrass
Pest Details
Origin:Introduced from Europe, and found throughout the eastern half of the United States and Canada, as well as in California and the Pacific Northwest.
Biology:
An annual weed, preferring cooler climates, thus present in northern states in the summer and southern states in the winter. A common weed in turf and disturbed sites. Reproduction is from seeds.
Identification:This is a prostrate, sprawling plant with many branches, forming a mat over the soil as it grows. Stems are thin and flexible. Leaves are very narrow, opposite, and growing close together at the ends of stems to form bunches. They are sharply pointed at the tip and tend to bend downward. The small, green, inconspicuous flowers have no petals, and grow in small clusters within the leaf axils.
Characteristicts Important
Latin Name: Kochia Scoparia
Common Name: Kochia
Other Names: Summer cypress, mock cypress, Mexican fireweed, red belvedere
Pest Details
Origin:Native to Eurasia, this plant was introduced to North America and now is found in nearly every state, with the exception of the extreme southeast.
Biology:
An annual weed reproducing from seeds. It is a very common weed along roadsides, in cultivated fields, in pastures and fields, as well as any disturbed site. A number of its chemical ingredients can cause serious toxic problems in livestock when it is eaten.
Identification:Under good growth conditions plants may grow to 6 feet in height. It is a bushy plant with many branches that grow erect or laterally. Most of the stems and branches are covered with soft hairs, and the branches may develop a reddish color as they mature late in the season. Leaves are small, narrow, and lance shaped and are alternate. The tiny flowers
Latin Name: Digitaria Sanguinalis
Common Name: Large Crabgrass
Other Names: Hairy crabgrass, crabgrass, summer grass
Pest Details
Origin:Native to Europe and now widespread in the United States.
Biology:
A summer annual grass weed, found in virtually any situation – row crops, orchards, pastures, roadsides, landscape, turf. Seeds germinate from very early spring throughout the summer months, and plants mature from late spring through the summer into early fall. Lower joints of the stems also tend to extend roots where they touch the ground, and the plants will spread laterally in this manner.
Identification:One of two principal species of crabgrass, Large Crabgrass may be distinguished from Smooth Crabgrass by its larger, hairy leaves. Mature plants may be prostrate or upright, depending on the growing condition. In regularly mowed turf they adapt with lower stems. Stems may be as long as 28 inches, and are
Latin Name: Soliva Pterosperma
Common Name: Lawn Burweed
Other Names: N/A
Pest Details
Origin:Native to South America, and now found along the Pacific Coast states and along the southern states to North Carolina, as well as throughout Latin America and in Europe.
Biology:
A winter annual growing in a prostrate, spreading habit. Reproduction is from seeds
Identification:Very similar to spurweed. Low growing and prostrate, and with numerous stems radiating outward from the central base. Leaves are opposite and twice divided into narrow lobes. The flowers are green, small, and inconspicuous, and clustered in the axils of the leaves. They produce seeds that are flat and armed with sharp spines that can be quite painful when stepped on. Seeds also tend to cling to clothing.
Characteristicts Important to Control:
Latin Name: Cardamine Oligosperma
Common Name: Little Bittercress
Other Names: Idaho bittercress, spring cress, little western bittercress, umbel bittercress
Pest Details
Origin:Native to North America, and found most commonly in the western states, east to Montana and Colorado, but occurring sporadically in the north central to northeast states as well. Found also in western Canada north to Alaska.
Biology:
A cool weather or cool habitat annual weed, sometimes a biennial in warmer climates, that reproduces from seeds. Like most bittercress species seeds are propelled explosively from the pods when they ripen, and several generations of plants may occur in a single year. Plants are found in most habitats where there is cool, shaded soil.
Identification:Mature plants are small and low-growing, with numerous branching stems that grow in a semi-erect or lateral habit, giving the plant a wide, spreading
Latin Name: Sisymbrium Irio
Common Name: London Rocket
Other Names: Desert mustard
Pest Details
Origin:A native of Europe, now common throughout the western states.
Biology:
A winter annual that may also be found in the summer in cool, shaded locations. It prefers damp soils and is a problem in irrigated crops, along roadsides, and in irrigation ditches. Reproduction is from seeds that germinate in the late fall and winter.
Identification:Mature plants can grow as high as 4 feet, but vary widely depending on the conditions they are growing in. Stems often are branched and may form a dense plant. Stems and leaves generally are without hairs. Leaves are as long as 8 inches and are deeply lobed, forming a number of leaflets on the leaf stalk. The terminal lobe is somewhat pointed. Flowers are typical yellow, in small clusters at the ends of the stems. Seed pods develop below the flower cluster, and may
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