You can recognize the species by its branching stems, narrow prickly leaves with wavy margins, and clusters of pink or purple flowerheads.

Creeping Thistle Classification

• Domain: Eukaryota
• Kingdom: Plantae
• Phylum: Tracheophyta
• Subphylum: Angiospermae
• Class: Magnoliaspida
• Order: Asterales
• Family: Asteraceae 
• Genus: Cirsium
• Species: Cirsium arvense
• Varieties: Cirsium arvense var. arvense and Cirsium arvense var. incanum
• Common Names: Common Thistle, Canada Thistle, Swamp Thistle, Prickly Thistle, Cursed Thistle, Small-Flowered Thistle, Field Thistle, Corn Thistle, and California Thistle 

Nativity and Distribution

Cirsium arvense is native to western Asia, North Africa, and Europe. It has since been introduced in other regions globally, including Australia. North America, South America, southern parts of Africa, and East Asia. 

Physical Characteristics

• Leaves: Alternate, narrow, lobed, with spines along wavy margins
• Fruits: Small, dry achene with feathery pappus, 3 -5 mm long
• Stems: Erect, smooth to slightly hairy, grooved, growing 30 -150 cm tall
• Flowers: Clusters of pink to purple flowerheads, 1-2 cm wide
• Roots: Vertical and horizontal root systems

Canada Thistle is a rhizomatous perennial herb that grows 30-150 cm tall. You can easily recognize it by its branching stems, narrow prickly leaves with wavy margins, and clusters of pink or purple flowerheads.

Stems are erect, typically smooth or slightly hairy, branched especially on the upper portions, but distinctly without ridges. They arise from a creeping root system to form new plants.

The leaves come in two forms. The basal leaves are formed in rosettes and are smooth, oblong to lanceolate, with wavy and spiny margins. The upper leaves are alternate, sessile, sometimes shallowly or deeply lobed, smaller, about 15-20 cm long and 2-3 cm wide, with spiny margins. 

Creeping Thistle produces pink, pinkish-purple, lilac, and occasionally white flowerheads, about 1-2 cm wide. They occur singly or in clusters at the tips of the stems and comprise numerous disks with projecting pistils subtended by spine-tipped bracts. 

Male and female flowers look similar but are found on different plants. A fragrant scent and seed production on the female flowers can help distinguish them. Flowering occurs in 

The seed is small, 4-5 mm long, with a white, feathery pappus.

Reproduction, Dispersal, and Life Cycle

• Life Cycle: Perennial  
• Seeds:  A single mature plant can produce 1,500-5,000 seeds
• Climate: Thrives best in temperate climates
• Dispersal: Wind, water, and human activities

Creeping thistle behaves as a perennial. It primarily reproduces by seed and a rhizome system. A single mature plant can produce between 1,500-5,000 seeds annually or more. 

Each achene features a white, feathery pappus that allows for efficient wind dispersal. When the seeds and pappi mature, the white plumes can be seen floating in the air and covering vast areas on the ground. 

Other seeds can be dispersed by water, as part of contaminated hay or livestock feed, through soil movement, and through  contaminated farming machinery. The seeds readily germinate within the first few years as they don’t need a dormancy period as long as favorable conditions prevail. However, buried seeds can remain viable for over 20 years. 

Basal leaves emerge after seed germination in mid-spring, leading to the growth of branching stems throughout summer and fall. The species develops a deep vertical root, about 6 feet in the soil.

The vertical root extends horizontally to about 15 feet, forming a massive network that supports vast patch and colony regrowth year after year.

A new shoot emerges from an underground bud, flowers, and seeds by autumn, and after frost, the above-ground growth dies back. The underground roots store energy in winter to support new growth in the next season. 

Cirsium arvense thrives in temperate climates, where moist, well-drained loamy soils and full sun or partial shade conditions are present. However, this species can adapt to a wide range of soils and can tolerate prolonged frost. 

The weed can be found in meadows, grasslands, pastures, crop fields, forest margins, roadsides, waste areas, and disturbed sites. 

Similar Plants 

• Cirsium vulgare
• Cirsium lanceolatum
• Cirsium palustre
• Carduus nutans

Uses

1. Creeping thistle is grown in pollinator gardens to provide nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects.
2. After careful preparation, young shoots, peeled stems, and leaves are consumed as wild vegetables.
3. The plant has been used as traditional medicine for toothache, indigestion, and other minor ailments.
4. The feathery pappus is used by the Cherokee to fletch blowgun darts.

Impact on Farms and Environment

Field Thistle is considered a serious weed in agricultural settings. It is listed as a noxious weed in several countries, including Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and 43 states in the United States. 

Its ability to form dense infestations that compete aggressively with crops for important nutrients significantly reduces the quantity and quality of yields. 

The species is also a known host for aphids that can spread disease to desirable crops, leading to losses. Its large seed bank, root system, and growth patterns make it a difficult and expensive weed to control, further compounding farming costs.

The weed outcompetes desirable pastures, reducing the quality of grazing grounds and hayfields. Additionally, the sharp spines discourage livestock from grazing, leading to uneven grazing and loss of usable forage.

In natural ecosystems, the invasive weed can displace native plants and reduce biodiversity, especially in disturbed habitats. 

Dense infestations in turfgrasses often reduce their aesthetic appeal and become a nuisance for ball retrieval on golf courses.

Control

• Mechanical control: Digging, repeated mowing, and cutting
• Cultural control: Maintaining healthy pastures and growing dense crops
• Chemical control: Application of broadleaf herbicides

Digging out young plants can help control the spread of the weed in agricultural and ornamental settings. However, repeated digging is required over several growing seasons for effective control. 

In lawns, repeated mowing and cutting young plants before flowering are common practices for Creeping Thistle control, as it reduces underground food reserves. However, these strategies often require chemical herbicides for successful control. 

Maintaining healthy perennial pastures and competitive crops in fields can also help reduce new shoot establishment. Growing alfalfa in forages, for instance, has been shown to reduce the spread and reestablishment of the weed. 

Systemic herbicides generally provide the best control against Cirsium arvense because they target the entire plant down to the roots and rhizome system. 

Applications are typically made in late spring to early autumn, after the young plants have emerged, for the most effective results. Repeat applications are often required to exhaust underground reserves and to achieve long-term control.

Postemergence herbicides containing products such as clopyralid, 2,4-D, aminopyralid, or glyphosate can be applied in turfgrasses, pastures, and crop fields. 

If you’re unsure on the next best steps, consult an extension expert to get the best advice on Creeping Thistle control for your specific infested area.

Sylvia Kiragu

Lead Editor for Insight Weeds.

insightweeds.com/

The post Cirsium arvense (Creeping Thistle) appeared first on InsightWeeds.

Lobed leaves are divided into distinct projections that not only look visually distinct but also play various roles for different plants. 

In this post, we’ll look at a comprehensive list of weeds with lobed leaves and highlight how these leaf structures aid in their survival.

1. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)

• Local Name: Dandelion or Common Dandelion
• Family: Asteraceae
• Annual or Perennial: Perennial

One of the distinct features of this common lawn weed are its deeply-lobed leaves that form a basal rosette. 

The lobes allow for efficient water channeling to the roots and also help the plant to enjoy good sun exposure by spreading close to the ground. 

Pull out or use a handy tool to remove dandelions from the roots. Herbicides like dicamba, 2,4-D, triclopyr, and glyphosate can help control larger infestations. 

2. Wild Mustard (Sinapis arvensis)

• Local Name: Wild Mustard
• Family: Brassicaceae
• Annual or Perennial: Annual

Wild Mustard is a summer annual found in the mustard family. It is a common and aggressive weed in the grain and forage crop fields as well as disturbed sites with high nitrogen levels.

It produces variable leaf shapes, but the lower leaves of a mature plant are broadly lobed with toothed edges. Apart from providing nutrition, the lobed leaves help to achieve fast growth and to crowd out of crops.

Repeated manual removal and cultivation at the seedling stage will exhaust the seedbank. Mowing can also help reduce seed production and spread. 

Glyphosate, triclopyr, 2,4-D, triclopyr + 2,4-D, and dicamba can be applied at different stages to eradicate the weed.

3. Bull Thistle (Cirsium vulgare)

• Local Name: Bull Thistle, Common Thistle, or Bur Thistle
• Family: Asteraceae
• Annual or Perennial: Biennial

Bull thistle, like most of its cousins, is considered one of the most noxious weeds across the globe. Part of what makes the thistle an efficient spreader is its leaves.

The weed begins by forming deeply lobed and spiny leaves that create a basal rosette about 65 cm wide. 

While they mainly ensure the growth of the weed in the next season, the leaves can also effectively deter herbivores and allow easy light and air penetration in dense stands. 

Canada Thistle has a similar leaf structure to Bull Thistle, but its basal rosettes vary between deeply divided and shallowly lobed leaf designs.

Grazing, hand-pulling, cutting, repeated mowing, and tillage done before flowering can help control small Bull Thistle populations. For larger plants, apply herbicides like dicamba, 2,4-D, glyphosate, picloram, or MCPA on the basal rosettes.

4. Shepherd’s Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris)

• Local Name: Shepherd’s Pouch, Lady’s Purse, or Shepherd’s Bag
• Family: Brassicaceae
• Annual or Perennial: Annual 

Shepherd’s Purse is a winter annual Eurasian native commonly found in crop fields and any disturbed site.

Its leaves vary in shape, but its basal rosette leaves can range from smooth to deeply lobed. The leaves assist the weed to sprout in compacted soils and prevent being shaded out by other plants.

For fast and effective control, herbicides such as flumioxazin, glyphosate, diquat-bromide, and bentazon can be applied, based on the infestation area. 

5. Common Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia)

• Local Name: Ragweed, Common Ragweed, or Annual Ragweed
• Family: Asteraceae
• Annual or Perennial: Annual

Ragweed is an annual weed native to the Americas. It is a rapid colonizer of open areas and disturbed sites, but it is mostly known for its allergenic pollen that causes hay fever.

This summer weed can be easily identified by its finely divided, deeply lobed leaves with a fern-like appearance. The leaf adaptation allows the plant to withstand wind, thereby growing to a maximum height for effective pollen dispersal.

The best removal methods include hand weeding, cutting, and mowing at a height 2 cm from the soil. You can also consider postemergence herbicides like dicamba, 2,4-D, imazapic, and metsulfuron-methyl, depending on the crop or area infested. 

6. Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum)

• Local Name: Poison Hemlock
• Family: Apiaceae
• Annual or Perennial: Biennial

Poison Hemlock is a tall and invasive biennial that can be found in stream banks, roadsides, riparian areas, and edges of cultivated fields.

Apart from the basal rosette leaves in the first year, it also produces true leaves that are smooth, pale green with numerous deeply lobed leaflets, arranged alternately along the stem.

The leaves serve the basic core functions, which include efficient photosynthesis, flexibility, and herbivore deterrence. 

Herbicides like glyphosate, 2,4-D, and triclopyr provide effective control if applied in the first-year basal rosette, as the more it grows, the more expensive herbicide control it may require. 

7. Common Cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium)

• Local Name: Cocklebur, Common Cocklebur, or Rough Cocklebur
• Family: Asteraceae
• Annual or Perennial: Annual 

Common Cocklebur is a summer annual known for invading pastures, crop fields (especially corn, soybean, and cotton), orchards, roadsides, and riparian areas.

Besides the spiny burrs, the mature plant also produces leaves that are triangular and lobed, with toothed margins, and are alternately arranged along the stem.

Remove the weeds by hand or with a digging tool if you’re dealing with a small infestation. You’ll need strong gloves as you handle the weed. Alternatively, use broadleaf herbicides like dicamba, 2,4-D, and triclopyr.

8. Bristly Mallow (Modiola caroliniana)

• Local Name: Carolina Bristlemallow, Redflower Mallow, or Bristly-fruited Mallow
• Family: Malvaceae
• Annual or Perennial: Perennial

Bristly Mallow is a broadleaf perennial weed native to South America. It commonly invades gardens and lawns, alfalfa fields, and pond shores.

Mature plants produce leaves in variable shapes, from ovate to palm-shaped with 6-7 deep lobes and or deeply divided with lobes. 

The leaves not only provide food and shelter for insects, they also contain a high level of mucilage which allows the plant to absorb and retain moisture even in drought. 

If the weed invades your lawn or garden, hand weed it before it produces seed in early summer. Ensure that you remove the deep taproot system to avoid regrowth. Postemergent herbicides containing combinations of dicamba and MCPA or MCPA and bromoxynil can also provide effective control against the mallow.

9.Hairy Bittercress (Cardamine hirsuta)

• Local Name: Hairy Bittercress, Hoary Bittercress, Bittercress, Land Cress, or Springcress
• Family: Brassicaceae
• Annual or Perennial: Annual 

Hairy Bittercress is a winter annual that will be one of the first weeds to pop up in your lawn where the turf is thin or bare in late summer. 

The small, low-growing weed bears 2-4 pairs of leaflets with lobed margins that merge to form a basal rosette.

The best removal method is by hand or digging before it sets seed. Landscapers have found it easy to pull or dig as long as the ground is not frozen. Adequate mulching in garden beds, as well as maintaining a dense and healthy lawn, can also discourage growth. 

For larger infestations, consider herbicides such as glyphosate, pelargonic acid, diquat, and glufosinate, depending on the affected area.

10. Cutleaf Evening Primrose (Oenothera laciniata)

• Local Name: Cutleaf Evening Primrose
• Family: Onagraceae
• Annual or Perennial: Biannual 

Cutleaf Evening Primrose is an upright or prostrate weed that grows in thin lawns, fencerows, open fields, and waste areas.

The weed grows toothed and lobed leaves for increased photosynthesis surface area and to help it withstand drought conditions. 

You can pull out small weeds by hand, especially when the ground is moist, as it can develop a thick taproot. Herbicides containing dicamba, glyphosate, 2,4-D, and paraquat are indicated for the best control results. 

Sylvia Kiragu

Lead Editor for Insight Weeds.

insightweeds.com/

The post List of Weeds With Lobed Leaves appeared first on InsightWeeds.

While most of these weed plants are referred to as “weed,” it’s important that you identify them by their name and features. Once you’ve done so, you’ll find eradicating and controlling them easier.

However, other weeds are attractive that instead of getting rid of them, you can relocate them to another place or leave them.

These are 20 common weeds with long narrow leaves and how to control or eradicate them.

1. Purslane

The common purslane, Portulaca oleracea, is an annual (and also tropical perennial) succulent plant native to North Africa and Southern Europe.

It is thought to contain nutritional value and can be eaten raw or added to food salad.

The plant may grow as tall as 16 inches high and has smooth, reddish prostrate stems. Its leaves are clustered at the stem’s joints and ends, producing yellow flowers.

The best time to get rid of purslane is at its early stage of maturity, and you can do so by hand pulling them. You can also use herbicides, which are effective when the weeds are young.

2. Field bindweed

Scientifically named Convolvulus arvensis, the field bindweed is a herbaceous perennial plant that grows on walls and fences.

The weed plant is native to North America, Europe, and Asia.

The bindweed can grow up to 6.5 feet in length and has pinkish-white flowers that bloom and produce a pleasant fragrance.

The stems are slender, branched, and deciduous, with alternate leaves with pointed lobes at the base.  

The effective way to control or eradicate bindweed is by removing the plant from its root system.

You can also apply herbicides or landscape fabric on top of it to prevent seed production.

3. Pigweed

Pigweed’s scientific name is Amaranthus, but it is also known as wild spinach, redroot pigweed, and green amaranth.

It is among the annual weeds with long narrow leaves native to North and South America.

The pigweed’s key features include simple green oval leaves and round seedpods that produce many seeds.

Its flowers are purplish-pink with dark pink stripes running down them. They’re common in areas with high sun exposure and are edible –often as an addition to salads.

The best way to eradicate pigweed in your lawn or garden is by pulling out the weed before it flowers.

Then, since it thrives in light for germination, mulch the weeds with 3 to 6 inches of mulch layers.

4. Dandelion

Dandelions, scientifically named Leontodon taraxacum, are perennial plants that grow in temperate regions in areas with well-drained and moist soils.

The plant species varies with native regions such as North America, Europe, and Asia.

Its bright yellow flowers characterize it. It often grows on lawns and appears through cracks in sidewalks and driveways.

Despite being a weed, the plant is used for medicinal purposes and can be added to salads.

The best and most effective method to eradicate dandelions is by digging up the plant from its roots. For this method to be effective, you might need special dandelion removal tools.

NOTE: You can also eliminate dandelion using herbicides, but the weed may keep coming back, especially if you haven’t destroyed its root system.

5. Common thistle

The common thistle, whose botanical name is Cirsium vulgare, is a perennial plant with long narrow leaves native to Europe.

The weed is commonly found in pastures, meadows, and roadsides and is native to Europe and Asia.

It’s characterized by dark purple flowers blooming in spring and spiny and lance-shaped leaves.

It also has a deep taproot system that anchors it firmly to the soil for support, water, and nutrients.

Digging up thistles isn’t an effective eradication approach since they’re invasive weeds that can regenerate through their roots.

Instead, the most effective ways of controlling common thistle are by hand-pulling, mowing, and using herbicides.

6. Creeping speedwell

The creeping speedwell, whose botanic name is Veronica filiformis, is a perennial weed with hairy stems.

It’s native to Europe, Asia, northern Turkey, and the Caucasus and was introduced to the United States in the 1920s.

The weed can grow up to 2 to 5 inches high and 20 to 30 inches wide upon maturity.

It produces blue, pinkish-purple, or white flowers and reproduces primarily by seeds. It mostly grows in lawns, gardens, or turf grass areas with moist soils.

Creeping speedwell can be controlled by regular mowing and applying the mecoprop or ioxynil herbicide mixture in spring or autumn.

You can also manually remove the weeds to control their spread.

7. Groundsel

Common groundsel, botanically called Senecio vulgaris, is an annual flowering weed native to Europe, parts of North Africa, and northern Asia. It has then been distributed to various habitats worldwide.

The long, thin-leaf plant features pinnately lobed leaves about 3 inches long and covered with soft fine hairs.

Its stems are hollow from the top to its base, producing yellow flowers. Furthermore, it has a shallow taproot and spreads itself by reseeding.

The recommended method of controlling the weed plant is by hand pulling and tilling.

You can also use herbicides, but they may affect crops such as forage legumes, mint, carrots, and other non-grass crops.

8. Cleavers

Cleavers’ botanical name is Galium aparine, an annual weed plant native to European countries.

They are easily identified by their slender sprawling stems that grow up to one meter in length.

They also have slender green leaves and little green-white flowers that develop green or purple fruits.

You can eradicate it by hand pulling it, as they are easy to uproot and remove. However, you should remove it once it rears its head to minimize regeneration.

9. Marestail

Also known as horseweed, marestail’s scientific name is Erigeron Canadensis. It’s an annual plant native to North America and has spread throughout Asia, Australia, and Europe.

Its key features include a height of about 1.5 meters with hairy stems. Its leaves are slender and unstalked with coarsely toothed margins.

Its flowers have a distinguishable white or purple ring and yellow florets.

Since they are resistant to herbicides, it’s recommended that one uses herbicides such as burndown herbicides in fall or early spring before they mature.

10. Green foxtail

Its scientific name is Setaria viridis, an annual and ubiquitous grass weed native to Eurasia. It later grew on lawns, crop fields, gardens, and landscapes in the United States.

The green foxtail grows up to three inches high, and its leaves are half an inch wide. Its seed head is whip-like with small dark green brittles and looks like a foxtail. It also has fibrous roots.

It’s advised not to use herbicides to eradicate green foxtail as it may cause more damage than good. Instead, you can hand-pull it from your garden or yard.

11. Ribwort plantain

Ribwort plantain, known scientifically as Plantago lanceolata, is a perennial weed native to Eurasia. It was later distributed to North America, Australia, and other countries with suitable habitats.

It can be identified by its ribbed lance-shaped leaves and soft hairy stems. Its flower stalk is deeply furrowed, and its head gradually turns brown and seeds.

The main way to prevent these weeds is by keeping your soil healthy and aerated. If present, the best weed treatment is by pulling them out, including the roots, before they have a chance to spread their seeds.

12. Couch grass

Its botanical name is Elymus repens, a perennial outdoor plant with long leaves. The grass is native to Europe, Asia, northwest Africa, and the Arctic biome.

Its characterized by its underground stems with creeping shoots. Unfortunately, it also has a deep network of roots that spread quickly and choke valuable plants.

Small infestations can be cleared out by hand-pulling them during springtime.

It’s commonly referred to as an invasive weed, and its control measures include digging them to the roots and covering the area with mulch to prevent regrowth.

NOTE: Make sure you use an appropriate weeding tool for the best results.

13. Chickweed

Chickweed, scientifically called Stellaria media, is an annual winter weed that grows in cool regions.

The plant species is native to Eurasia and has been naturalized worldwide. It grows in moist soils or temperatures between 40 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Its characteristics include lush green mates with small, white star-shaped flowers. The leaves are green, oval, and hairless, while its stems are terete and hairless.

It’s very difficult to control chickweed because of its invasive capabilities. Therefore, the best method is hand-pulling or cultivating it at its early stages of maturity.

It would be best to mulch the cultivated area with organic mulch wood chips to prevent the seeds from germinating.

14. Crabgrass

Scientifically known as Digitaria sanguinalis, crabgrass is an annual weed that thrives in moist soil, making it difficult to control once it has germinated.

The weed is native to Europe and Eurasia, having later been introduced in the United States in 1849 as a forage crop.

Its key features include smooth stems with circular grooves. Its leaves are long and narrow and yellowish-green to lime green.

Crabgrass is easy to identify; once done, they are hand-pulled or mowed to eradicate them when young.

You can also use crabgrass removal tools or a crabgrass preventer such as Tenacity.

Ensure you don’t overwater your garden to prevent crabgrass’s uncontrolled growth and spread.

15. Shepherd’s purse

Shepherd’s purse, whose scientific name is Capsella bursa-pastoris, is a low but quick-growing plant that’s invasive and difficult to eliminate.

It’s an annual flowering weed plant native to Eastern Europe and Asia Minor.

It grows three to 1.64 feet long and produces triangular or heart-shaped seedpods with seeds that remain productive in the ground for several years.

It also has pointed leaves that grasp the long stem and its small and white flowers.

The best method to control shepherd’s purse is by regularly pulling the weeds and mowing the lawn for the best results.

Next, mulch the remaining weed 3 inches deep or use herbicide before it flowers.

16. Sandbur

Sandbur, botanically called Cenchrus, is an annual and perennial weed plant native to North America, Europe, Asia, and the South Pacific.

It can be identified by its 40 inches height and widely spread and shallow roots. The leaf blades are twisted and have a fringed ligule at the leaf’s base.

The recommended way of managing sandburs is by regularly mowing your lawn and maintaining your lawn.

You can also pull it or fertilize your lawn or garden in the fall to crowd out any sandbur seedlings in spring.

17. Canada thistle

Canada thistle, whose scientific name is Cirsium arvense, is a weed plant that spreads by seed. It’s native to parts of Europe and was introduced in America in the 16^th century.

Its common characteristics include purple spiky flowers, long skinny leaves that form arrow-like shapes, and hairy prickly stems. Its seeds are similar to dandelion seed heads but more significant.

One way of minimizing infestation of Canada thistle is by mowing it into the soil before planting. You can also snip off the weed at its base using garden scissors.

It’s, however, not a good idea to uproot the weed as it can regrow with the tiniest portion of root in the soil.

18. Smartweed

Smartweed, botanically referred to as Persicaria lapathifolia, is an annual herb native to parts of Europe.

It can be identified by its red erect stems, a height of 6 feet when fully grown, and dark pink flowers. The green leaves are alternate and hairy, while its blades have a dark-colored mark in the middle.

Maintaining a healthy and well-kept lawn or garden can prevent the weed from growing.

If there’s a small infestation, you can pull them out or use organic herbicides but avoid spraying on your plants.

19. Nutsedge

The nutsedge weed, whose scientific name is Cyperus rotundus, is an annual and perennial weed that quickly spreads by rhizomes and seeds.

They thrive in moist and dry soils and are native to Africa, southern Asia, and southern and central Europe.

It easily resembles a blade of grass with its dark green V-shaped stem. The weeds grow to a diameter of up to six inches or more and release tiny greenish-yellow triangular seeds when they mature.

Nutsedge is spread through its rhizomatous roots and seeds, making it difficult to eradicate.

That’s why it’s important to eliminate them as soon as you identify them using the herbicide glyphosate.

20. Horsetail

Horsetail weed, scientifically called Equisetum arvense, is a perennial weed that grows in wet or moist soil.

It’s a tall plant with long thin leaves and native to the Arctic regions and the Northern Hemisphere.

The weed has thin, green branches, long leaves, and erect and succulent stems. Furthermore, it’s a poisonous weed to animals, especially if consumed in huge amounts.

Common control methods such as pulling, tilling, herbicides, and smothering are ineffective in eradicating horsetail weed.

The best way to eradicate the weed is by changing the soil conditions, such as drainage, pH, and soil fertility.

Carter

IW’s Chief Editor and a lover of green spaces.

The post 20 weeds with long narrow leaves appeared first on InsightWeeds.

While weed plants with yellow flowers might look appealing and beneficial (pollination, medicinal properties, etc.), they can be very distractive if they sprout your gardens and lawns.

In addition, some of these weeds can be very aggressive, easily overwhelming other plants on your lawn. Others are resilient and can keep returning after every eradication attempt, making them very frustrating.

Identifying weeds with yellow flowers is the first step to efficiently eradicating these unwanted plants. Below, we have compiled a list of the most common 20 weeds with yellow flowers and their unique characteristics.

Top 20 common weeds with yellow flowers

Below are some of the most common weeds with yellow flowers and how to identify them:

1. Yellow sorrel

Yellow sorrel (Oxalis stricta) is a common weed in North America, Europe, and Asia. It goes by several local names, such as sourgrass, sheep weed, lemon clover, and prickle plant.

The plant commonly attacks gardens, lawns, and fields. It is a very invasive species that spread through runners and seeds (germinating once they touch the soil).

Yellow sorrel is very similar to clover, with its leaves (trifoliate) originating from a single point on the stem. These leaves are bright green, with the stem, branches, and leaf stalks having fine hairs. On top of that, it produces small yellow flowers (five petals), which bloom from spring to fall.

You can get rid of yellow sorrel by pulling the plant from the ground, but you should ensure you get the entire root system; else, it will sprout back. You can also eradicate it using systemic herbicides such as glyphosate (Roundup).

2. Creeping cinquefoil

Creeping cinquefoil (Potentilla reptans) is a flowering plant found in North Africa, Europe, and North America (Ontario, Quebec, Alabama, Florida, and Texas).

It commonly grows on roadsides, grasslands, and borders but can easily invade lawns, gardens, and yards. Its attractive sight can fool you, but it is a highly invasive weed plant that spreads quickly and aggressively using quick-rooting runners.

You can identify creeping cinquefoil by segmented, jagged, 5-lobbed green leaves, similar to the strawberry plant.

The plant grows from the main taproot, with long runners (blackish) in all directions, reaching up to one foot. The plant also has little yellow flowers (five-petalled), which bloom around June to September.

You can eradicate creeping cinquefoil by pulling it from the ground or other mechanical means such as raking. However, chemical weeds (selective or systemic, depending on where it is growing) are the best option to control them completely.

3. Dandelion

Dandelion is one of the most common yellow-flowered weeds. It is a perennial plant native to Eurasia, but a common sight in North America, South America, Oceania, and India.

Some people consider it a beneficial plant due to its high nutritional benefit – it has lots of vitamins and minerals, and the flowers are even used to make wine. However, it is a highly invasive species that spread aggressively through seeding.

It also forms deep root systems, making it hard to eradicate. The plant usually grows in crop fields, orchards, lawns and turf, gardens, yards, and roadsides.

Dandelion has distinct basal leaves that have toothed edges. The leaves are dark green and produce a milky sap.

The plant has long, hollow stems on which yellow flowers bloom at the top in clusters, forming a flower head. Dandelion also produces a seed head, like a puffball, from where the wind scatters seeds.

Due to their deep-rooted system, removing dandelions by hand or with gardening tools is difficult. Therefore, herbicides are the most effective eradication technique, especially systemic weed killers such as Roundup.

4. Common evening primrose

Common evening primrose (Oenothera biennis), or evening star, is a flowering plant native to the North American region. It commonly grows in landscapes (newly established), nurseries and seed beds, and crop fields but can occasionally invade lawns.

Common evening primrose is considered highly beneficial, with edible roots and shoots, and even used to produce evening primrose medicinal oil. However, it is highly invasive, as it has copious amounts of seeds, which easily spread and germinate.

You can identify common evening primrose with its narrow, lance-shaped leaves with smooth margins and red veins. The leaves grow in a rosette pattern in the first year before sprouting spirally from the stem as the plant matures.

Common evening primrose also has large, four-petalled, trumpet-shaped yellow flowers, which form a loose pattern on the stem.

You can eradicate common evening primrose through mechanical means – pulling by hands or digging tools from the ground. In case of widespread infestation, you can spot-treat with systemic herbicides such as glyphosate.

5. Golden clover

Golden Clover (Trifolium aureum) is a flowering plant native to Eurasia but widespread in other parts of the world, such as North America. It is one of the weeds with yellow flowers you are likely to find on your lawn. You can also see it in the fields, woodlands, roadsides, etc.

Golden clover produces compound leaves (in threes), which grow at the end of a short stalk. They are finely toothed from the tip of the leave but have a fine margin as you near the base. The plant’s stems are smooth but can occasionally have fine flattened hairs.

Golden clover also blooms a round to oval flower head, which feature small yellow flowers that turn creamy to rusty brown as the plant nears the seeding stage.

You can control golden clovers by pulling the weeds by hand from the ground. You can also use herbicides such as glyphosate if you prefer chemical control.

6. Birdsfoot trefoil

Birdsfoot trefoil is a perennial herbaceous native to Eurasia and North Africa but common around several regions worldwide. The plant can grow in diverse habitats, from lawns to crop fields, roadsides, woodlands, etc.

It is sometimes cultivated for forage and soil erosion control. However, it is an aggressive species that spreads fast and forms a dense mat, choking out other vegetation.

Birdsfoot trefoil is a low-growing plant with semi-erect stems (sometimes lying on the ground). It produces five leaflets – three compound leaflets similar to clover and two stalkless leaflets at the base of a stem.

It also has small, pea-like yellow flowers, which form a cluster pattern at the top of the stem. You can eradicate the weed plant through broadleaf herbicides such as 2-4-D, triclopyr, and dicamba.

7. Black-eyed susan

Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) is a wildflower plant native to North America. It commonly grows in fields, open woodlands, roadsides, and abandoned areas.

Some people do not consider the plant a weed due to its appeal. It is even used as a symbol for the University of Southern Mississippi and Maryland. However, the plant is tolerant to harsh conditions and self-seeding and thus can spread fast if not controlled.

Black-eyed Susan is a tall growing plant that can reach up to 100 cm. It produces long, ovate leaves that are winged, deeply veined, and coarse, which grow irregularly along the stalk.

However, its most unique feature is the flower; it has singular flowerheads positioned at the top of the stalks. The flower heads have a prominent black to dark-brown cone at the centre, with bright yellow petals (like rays of the sun) surrounding them.

You can control the growth of black-eyed Susan by cutting the plant down to the ground. Immediately after cutting, you should treat the roots with a systemic herbicide to kill the plant.

8. Common ragwort

Common ragwort (Jacobaea Vulgaris) is a wildflower found in Europe, Asia, North America, and other parts of the world. It is known by several local names such as ragwort, stinking willie, tansy ragwort, etc.

It can be a beneficial plant, especially in attracting butterflies. However, it is highly invasive (spreading prolifically through seeds) and can be poisonous to humans and animals.

Common ragwort is one of the several tall weeds with yellow flowers you will likely come across. It has upright growing stems, reaching up to one meter in height. It also produces large, pinnately lobed leaves, which produce a stinking smell.

The plant also has singular flower heads perched at the top of the stalk, with several small, bright yellow petals forming a cluster.

You can eradicate common ragwort by pulling the plant from the ground (before it seeds) and burning it or disposing of it inside a tightly sealed plastic bag.

In case of widespread infestation, you can deploy chemical herbicides.

9. Creeping buttercup

Creeping buttercup is a common weed with yellow flowers, which grows in gardens, woodlands, borders, and other areas with wet soil. It is an attractive plant but highly invasive due to its fast-spreading runners.

Creeping buttercup produces hairy leaves divided into three lobes at the top of the plant’s stalk. It also has bright yellow flowers with five to seven petals. You can also distinguish the plant by how it spreads on the ground through runners.

You can eliminate creeping buttercup by pulling it from the ground. However, if the weed is well established, you might need chemical herbicides to eradicate it effectively.

10. Common sow thistle

The common sow thistle (Sonchus oleraceus) is a flowering plant native to Europe and Asia but widespread in North America. It usually grows in crop fields and other disturbed areas.

The plant is pretty beneficial – forage for animals, pollination, and even cuisine (leaves are edible). However, it is highly invasive and can lower crop production on agricultural land.

Common sow thistle has smooth, erect thick stems, which produce a milky sap when cut. Its leaves are a bluish-green, with a smooth surface and lightly toothed margin.

During flower season, it blooms singular flowerheads (very similar to those of dandelions), with bright yellow petals forming a cluster at the tip of the stem. You can control the plant through chemical herbicides such as 2,4-D.

11. Lesser celandine

Lesser celandine (Ficaria Verna) is a low-growing flowering plant in the buttercup family. It is native to Europe and Asia but also widespread in North America.

It is sometimes grown as an ornamental plant but is highly invasive and can overcrowd other vegetation. It usually grows in gardens, lawns, roadsides, fields, and other natural areas.

Lesser celandine is a low-growing plant that forms a mat on the ground. It has relatively long stalks, which grow in clusters of about four to ten stems. It also produces glossy-green heart-shaped leaves and small, bright yellow flowers that bloom in spring.

Lesser celandine is very hard to control once it establishes itself. You can try to remove the plant from the ground before it flowers – by digging by hand or shovel. However, systemic herbicides such as glyphosate are the most effective eradication.

12. Common purslane

Common purslane (Portulaca oleracea), also known as little hogweed, is an annual plant widespread across Europe, North America, Africa, Asia, and Australia.

It grows in various habitats, from landscapes to gardens, lawns, and crop fields. Some people consider it beneficial because its leaves are edible – either cooked or eaten raw. However, it is fast-spreading and easily overwhelms other vegetation, such as in crop fields.

Common purslane has smooth, glossy, and fleshy-appearing green leaves with red margins. The leaves, which form a teardrop shape, are attached to the stems without a stalk and form clusters of four leaflets at the top.

The stems grow close to the ground, forming a dense mat. The plant also produces yellow flowers (either individually or in clusters), which bloom from May to September.

You can control common purslane by pulling it from the ground and disposing of it in sealed bags. You can also use cultural control means such as mulching or solarization.

You can consider herbicides such as benefin, dithiopyr, and trifluralin if you prefer chemical control.

13. Cypress spurge

Cyprus spurge (Euphorbia cyparissias) is a flowering plant with yellow flowers native to Europe. However, it was introduced to the North American region as an ornamental plant, where it has become widespread.

It commonly grows in grasslands, pastures, meadows, roadsides, and gardens. It is also found in graveyards, the nickname graveyard moss or weed.

Cypress spurge is a relatively low-growing plant, reaching 20 to 40 cm in height. It produces several branched stems, which are covered with narrow green leaves – forming cypress-like foliage.

It also produces small, inconspicuous yellowish-green flowers, which bloom at the end of the stems.

Cypress spurge is fast-growing and spreads through roots and seeds, thus making it hard to control once established. It is also poisonous to animals.

You can try to eradicate it by pulling it from the ground. However, chemical treatment using herbicides such as glyphosate is the most effective solution.

14. Canada goldenrod

Canada goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) is a herbaceous plant native to Canada and USA. It grows in moist to dry fields, swamp areas, clearings, forest edges, orchards, along roadsides, streams, ponds, cultivated fields, and gardens.

It is very beneficial as it provides forage for livestock and attracts insects with its pollen and nectar. However, it is invasive, spreading aggressively through seeds and rhizomes.

Canada goldenrod is a tall growing plant, reaching up to six feet. It has branching stems from where lanceolate (sometimes broadly linear) leaves grow alternatingly. The leaves are hairy on the underside and are prominently toothed on the edges.

The plant also produces branching flowerheads consisting of several bright yellow clustered flowers, forming a pyramid pattern.

You can control the Canada goldenrod by cutting the plant down to the ground before it produces seeds. However, chemical herbicides, such as broadleaf weed killers, are the best control mechanism.

15. Oxalis

Oxalis, also known as wood sorrels, are small weeds with yellow flowers native to North America. They usually grow on lawns, garden areas, and sunny to shady landscapes. They are considered by some people to be ornamental but are very aggressive and can suffocate other plants.

Oxalis weeds have smooth, trifoliate, heart-shaped leaves, which are green in colour (sometimes purplish or brownish-red).

The leaves tend to fold up at night (or under stress, for example, direct sunlight) before opening up in the morning. The plant also produces small yellow flowers with a cup-like shape, which bloom around summer and fall.

You can control oxalis by mulching your garden (prevention) or pulling them from the ground when they sprout. You can also use chemical control (broadleaf herbicides) to eradicate them.

16. Velvetleaf

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti) is an annual broadleaf plant native to Southern Asia. It was introduced into the North American region as a potential fibre crop, only to turn into a weed plant affecting several crops. It usually grows in crop fields, nurseries, gardens, orchards, roadsides, and disturbed land.

Velvetleaf is an upright-growing plant that can reach up to eight feet. It has a stout, hairy stem, on which large, round to heart-shaped leaves emerge in an alternating pattern.

The leaves are also hairy, with a velvety feel, hence the name. In summer, the plant produces yellow flowers with five petals, which can be found in clusters or growing singularly.

You can control the velvetleaf plant by pulling it from the ground. Depending on the growing season, you can also kill the weed with pre- and post-emergent herbicides.

17. John’s-Wort

St John’s-Wort (Hypericum perforatum) is a flowering plant native to Eurasia but widespread in North America, South America, Africa, and Australia.

It has been used in folk medicine for centuries and cultivated commercially. However, it has a strong tap root system with creeping rhizomes, which allows it to spread aggressively.

St. John’s-Wort plant has dark green, oblong-shaped leaves with small dark dots. The leaves are stalkless and attach to the stem in an alternating pattern. The plant also produces bright yellow flowers (five petals), which grow from the tip of the stem.

You can control the St. John’s-Wort plant by removing it from the ground by hand before it seeds. You should ensure you dig up the entire root system to prevent it from sprouting. However, if the invasion is widespread, you should use broad-spectrum herbicides such as glyphosate and 2,4-D.

18. Butterweed

Butterweed (Packera Glabella) is a weed plant found in North America’s central and southeastern regions. It usually grows in pastures, meadows, waste areas, and other disturbed areas. It produces a large number of seeds and thus usually grows in clusters.

The Butterweed plant has simple, lanceolate-shaped leaves with smooth margins. They are dark green to greenish-yellow, with the underside being covered with fine hairs. The plant also blooms with yellow, daisy-like flowers, which grow in clusters at the top of the stem.

The deep-rooted tap root system of the butterweed plant makes pulling them from the ground by hard almost impossible. Therefore, the best solution is to spray with systemic herbicides such as glyphosate when the plant is actively growing.

19. Marsh yellowcress

Marsh yellowcress (Rorippa palustris) is a flowering plant part of the mustard family. It is native to Eurasia and North America and usually grows in ponds, small rivers, marshy fields, ditches, and poorly drained crop fields.

Marsh yellowcress leaves start growing in a basal rosette pattern and are often oblong-shaped. As the plant matures, the leaves become deeply lobbed and grow from the stem in an alternating pattern.

Each leaflet has several pairs of irregularly toothed leaflets. The plant also produces flowers, which develop at the tip of the stems or the leaf axils. The flowers are small, yellow, and consist of four petals.

You can remove marsh yellowcress plants from the ground by hand as long as you remove the entire root system to keep it from sprouting. You can also use systemic herbicides to eradicate the infestation completely.

20. Skeletonweed

Skeletonweed (Chondrilla juncea) is a flowering plant native to Europe, North Africa, and Asia but commonly found in several temperate regions worldwide.

It is hardy, with a deep tap root system, which allows it to survive harsh environments and spread. It can also easily invade cultivated fields, landscapes, flower beds, and even lawns.

Skeletonweed is a tall growing plant, reaching up to 5 feet in height (with its taproot growing up to 7 feet deep). When sprouting, the leaves form a basal rosette pattern, which is deeply toothed, with the lobes bending backwards.

However, as the plant matures, it produces branching stems with very few leaves. However, it produces several small, bright yellow flowers, which form clusters in singular or grouped flowerheads.

Due to how deep the roots of the Skeletonweed plant grow, mechanical removal is impossible.

Instead, the best way to eradicate the weed is by applying systemic herbicides such as dicamba, 2,4-D, glyphosate, and others. You might need several applications of herbicides to kill the plant completely.

Conclusion

Are you looking to identify weeds with yellow flowers? You can come across several types of weeds that bloom yellow flowers, whether in your lawn, garden, crop fields, or other areas near your property.

The above are some of the most common weeds you need to be aware of. Despite some of these weeds appearing beneficial, they are quite invasive and can be hard to control if left unchecked.

Fortunately, with the above information, you can easily identify them and choose the best solution for eradication.

More Guides

• 7 plants that look like chamomile
• 10 common weeds with purple flowers
• 20 weeds with huge leaves
• 10 common weeds in New England and removal tips

Carla Etheridge

Carla is a student pursuing a B.S in Agricultural Systems Technology. With a passion for landscaping for over 4 years, Carla loves plants. She has previously contributed to several other sites in the space before joining InsightWeeds.

The post 20 common weeds with yellow flowers appeared first on InsightWeeds.

Many weeds are difficult to remove. They also take up valuable space and compete with other plants for important resources like water, sunlight and nutrients.

Since there are many types of weeds, many of them bearing similar characteristics, it can be hard to identify and distinguish them. Here, we’ll help you identify weeds with purple flowers and provide removal tips that work.

1. Creeping Charlie/ Ground Ivy

Creeping Charlie, scientifically known as Glechoma hederacea, is a very problematic weed. It is low-growing, usually between a few inches to two feet above the ground. As the name suggests, this plant is a creeper with fibrous roots that spread far and wide.

So if you spot a vine weed with purple flowers on your lawn, it could be a creeping Charlie.

Another thing to note about ground ivy is its shiny dark green leaves with serrated edges, which grow in opposite pairs along its square-shaped stems. The purple flowers bloom in the spring and summer.

This lawn weed is particularly problematic due to the large number of seeds it produces and its ability to spread vegetatively by rooting at the leaf nodes.

We’ve previously discussed several ways to get rid of creeping Charlie. Here’s a list of the most effective methods:

• Pulling: Most common for small pieces of land
• Digging: Better for relatively larger spaces which you intend to utilize
• Spraying: Use of herbicides for large areas
• Mulching: This prevents creeping Charlie from growing back.

2. Henbit

This weed with tiny purple flowers in the grass (where it is often found) is often confused with creeping Charlie. Although they belong to the same family, they are not the same plant. Henbit is the less aggressive cousin to creeping Charlie.

This one, however, has hairy stems, rounded leaves, purple funnel-shaped flowers, and short stature, growing 10-25 cm above the ground. It also has a shallow fibrous root system.

A single henbit plant could produce up to 2,000 seeds in the spring, and you may want to get rid of it if you are a cattle farmer or have other plants growing around it, especially those that do not coexist well with other plants.

The removal techniques for henbit are similar to those of the creeping Charlie. However, you can also use other chemicals, as indicated here.

3. Canada thistle/creeping thistle

The scientific name for creeping thistle is Cirsium arvense. It is a perennial weed with a deep root system, making it very difficult to remove by hand.

The leaves are dark green, and its small purple flowers grow in clusters. They spread very fast, so early removal is key.

This is best done by trimming the plant down to ground level and then digging deep enough that the entire root system is removed. Note that you have to trim the plant multiple times to get rid of it completely.

4. Black nightshade

Solanum nigrum, a problematic garden weed, grows about two feet tall with small dark green leaves. The flowers could be white or purple.

It is particularly dangerous because many confuse it with the edible nightshade, but if ingested, black nightshade causes stomach pain, diarrhoea and vomiting. The sap can also irritate the skin.

Removal can be done by hand pulling (wear gloves to avoid irritation), and if it has already produced seeds, dig up the entire plant and double-check the garden to ensure you got everything out.

5. Crane’s bill/Dove’s foot

Geranium molle has a deep root system and grows to about 20 cm in height. The leaves are lobed, and the small flowers have five petals.

For removal, it is best to hand pull or dig the root out, and it is best to do this in spring or fall. Mulching prevents the weed from sprouting again, but be careful to keep the mulch away from the base of trees.

6. Common thistle/Spear thistle/Bull thistle

Cirsium vulgare is among the easiest purple-flowered weeds to detect. It can grow quite tall, even reaching 6 feet. The leaves are prickly, and the stem is covered in tiny thorns. It grows both in the wild and in gardens.

The best way to get rid of it is by hand pulling from the root if you have a small piece of land. For larger areas, you can use herbicides, but be careful not to get them on your other plants.

7. Forget-me-nots

Myosotis sylvatica, commonly known as Forget-me-nots, is a weed with tiny purple flowers often found in gardens and lawns. It grows low, with a height of up to 12 inches, with hairy leaves, and is considered quite invasive.

For removal, it is best to use a pitchfork to loosen the soil and hand-pull them by the root. You may need to repeat this a few times. If you don’t have a pitchfork, use a closely similar tool from this list of weeding equipment.

You can also use a glyphosate-based weed killer such as Roundup, but be careful not to damage other plants.

8. Wild violets

Viola Odorta is a beautiful but problematic weed with dainty purple flowers growing at the top. Once they take root, they become hard to control. They are very competitive with other plants and spread quite fast.

To get rid of these, hand pulling is the most effective method, but it can be time-consuming, especially if you have a large piece of land. The alternative is using herbicides and taking the necessary precautions to avoid damaging other plants.

9. Selfheal/Healall

Prunella vulgaris is a perennial weed with small tubular flowers and serrated leaves, mostly found in moist, shady areas. It is edible, with the leaves being cooked or eaten raw in salads and the flowers used as tea.

Removing this fast-spreading plant by hand-pulling them or mowing them before they flower is most effective in preventing seed production. It is not advisable to use herbicides on this plant, as they barely work.

10. Musk thistle/Nodding thistle

Carduus nutans are among the purple weeds found in grass and meadows. It takes two years for this plant to complete its life cycle, growing leaves from a rosette to the ground in the first year and a flowering stalk of up to 6 feet sprouts in the second year.

The flower comprises a cluster of many smaller flowers at the top of the stalk. Its spiny leaves form underneath the flower and produce up to 50,000 seeds per plant, which remain viable in the soil even after ten years.

This problematic weed is very competitive with other plants and can be poisonous to livestock if consumed in large amounts.

For removal, hand pulling is the best option, but it is best to protect your skin from the spiny leaves. Another option is using herbicides. The best time to remove musk thistle is during the rosette stage (first year) or the flowering stage in the second year.

More about weeds

• The most common weeds in New England
• These 10 weeds that stick to your clothes
• List of plant identification apps for Android

Carla Etheridge

Carla is a student pursuing a B.S in Agricultural Systems Technology. With a passion for landscaping for over 4 years, Carla loves plants. She has previously contributed to several other sites in the space before joining InsightWeeds.

The post 10 common weeds with purple flowers appeared first on InsightWeeds.

Most people encountering thorny weeds will do everything possible to eradicate them, including herbicides.

However, some have several benefits, from being edible to offering medicinal properties.

Below, we have compiled a list of the top 10 common thorny weeds that you are likely to find in your garden. If you are to touch them, make sure to wear protective gloves.

1. Spiny sow thistle

Spiny snow thistle is an annual or biennial weed plant that grows tall, reaching up to 2 meters. It is common in gardens, pastures, roadsides, fields, and woody areas.

It is easy to identify as it is one of the most common weeds with thorns on leaves – it has thorns on the edges and the underside of the leaves.

Spiny sow thistles are invasive as they produce several seeds that scatter easily.

However, it has several benefits.

The young leaves of the wild plant are edible – whether cooked or eaten raw.

The plant also has medicinal properties, cultivated for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

2. Catbrier

Catbrier (Smilax bona-nox) is a perennial thorny vine that is popularly known as greenbrier. It has spiny, woody stems, which can be low or high climbing (up to 25 feet), forming thick impenetrable thickets.

Catbrier is highly invasive as it spreads quickly through seeds from its fruits.

However, it also has hardy, deep rhizomes, which can survive even fires, allowing the plant to grow back.

The plant is also beneficial and offers medicinal properties, including treating joint pain, gout, and skin disease.

Its leaves and fruits also serve as food and shelter for wildlife.

3. Burweed

Burweed is also known as spurweed, stickerweed, or lawn burrweed. It is one of the most common weeds with thorns found in grass.

Burrweed is every lawn owner’s nightmare, as it rapidly germinates after winter and can outcompete the grass.

It is also conspicuous, and can easily prick your feet when you are walking barefoot on the lawn.

However, despite its reputation, it does have some benefits. For many years, the plant was cultivated for its medicinal properties, particularly its ability to treat fever.

Therefore, one or two of these weeds growing on your grass might not be bad. But if you feel it is invading your space, use these removal techniques.

4. California burclover

California burclover (Medicago polymorpha), also known as toothed burclover, is an annual broadleaf weed that grows in disturbed pastures, fields, waste areas, and roadsides, just to name a few.

It has oblong-shaped leaves, erect green stems, bright yellow flowers, and prickly seeds (burs).

California burclover can quickly spread through its seeds or deep roots and overtake other plants.

However, it is cultivated in a controlled manner for several benefits. First, the leaves are edible and consumed as vegetables in many regions.

It is also a good source of fodder for livestock.

5. Stickseed

Stickseed, also known as Virginia stickseed, is a biennial plant that grows in light shade and woodland areas.

You will usually find it growing on the roadsides and garden areas and can invade lawns. Virginia stickseed is one of the tall weeds with thorns, reaching up to four feet high.

It has oval-shaped, hairy leaves and tiny white flowers. It also produces prickly nutlets, which release sticky seeds when they dry up.

While stickseed has gained a reputation for being an invasive weed, it was grown as a beneficial plant for several years.

It was used in Cherokee herbal medicine to treat skin cancers and kidney conditions and improve cognitive function.

Some cultures even used it for love charms.

6. Carolina horsenettle

Carolina horsenettle is a perennial herbaceous plant that is native to areas of North America.

It goes by several local names, including sand brier, bull nettle, wild tomato, radical weed, and Sodom apple.

It has large, oblong leaves with sharp prickles on the underside. The stem of the plant is also covered with thorns.

California nettle is an invasive plant that spreads easily through a rhizome system. It also attracts several insects, spreading pests and diseases to crops.

However, it has several benefits. It is cultivated for its medicinal properties, used to treat asthma and bronchitis, and is also a diuretic.

Some communities also use it as an aphrodisiac.

On top of that, it provides nectar to bees (particularly bumblebees) and food (berries) for wildlife.

7. Jimson weed

Jimson weed (Datura stramonium), also known as thorn apple, devil’s snare, or devil’s trumpet, is another thorny weed plant you are likely to find.

It is a flowering plant that is part of the nightshade family. It has an upright growing branching plant with large, undulated leaves and trumpet-shaped flowers.

However, it is more commonly known for its thorny egg-shaped seed capsules (thorn apple) surrounded by prickles.

Jimson weed is a highly invasive plant that spreads quickly through seeds when the capsule dries and bursts.

It is also hard to eradicate due to its thick roots and is considered toxic to human beings and animals.

However, Jimson weed is also famous for its several medicinal properties.

Further, humans used the weed for several years to treat respiratory ailments such as asthma, flu, cough, and swine.

In addition, in early and traditional medicine, humans used the weed to treat epilepsy and explosive conditions.

Jimson weed also contains psychoactive properties, which produce a hallucinogenic effect.

It is used among indigenous Americans and other cultures worldwide for spiritualism and occult practices.

8. Prickly sida

Prickly sida (Sida rhombifolia), also known as arrowleaf sida, is a perennial plant native to the tropic and subtropics region.

It has woody, branching stems that grow up to heights of 120 cm. Its leaves are diamond-shaped and feature small spines at the base of each leaf.

Many consider prickly sida invasive due to its tendency to infest crop fields where cotton, peanuts, and soybeans are grown.

However, it is not entirely without use. The plants are used for their anti-inflammatory properties to relieve swelling.

The plant’s fruits also reduce headaches, while the roots treat rheumatism.

9. Wild brambles

Wild brambles are a variety of wildly growing blackberries and raspberries plants. They are thorny plants, which you can quickly identify with their dark purple and bright red berries.

Brambles are invasive as they can quickly infest gardens and take over from other plants.

However, they are one of the most beneficial wild plants. Their berries are edible and a rich source of antioxidants. Birds and other animals also eat them.

10. Bull thistle

Bull thistles are biennial herbaceous weeds with thorns and purple flowers. They are tall growing, reaching up to seven feet tall.

Its leaves are broad, coarse and deeply lobbed and come with sharp spines extending from the tip of the leaves to the stems.

Bull thistles are highly aggressive, spreading through seeds dispersed by winds.

They can survive in the soil for several years before infesting and thriving in poorly maintained grounds.

However, the bull thistle plant also offers several benefits. The plant was used in traditional medicine to make medicinal tea, which helps treat muscle stiffness and rheumatism.

The roots also aid in digestion and treat stomach cramps.

Wrapping up

The above are some common thorny plants you can come across in your garden, lawn, crop field, roadsides, woods, and other areas.

While the weeds are invasive and toxic, they offer several benefits.

So, before you eradicate them, you might want to consider whether they can benefit you and are worth keeping.

More Guides

• List of weeds that look like small trees
• List of tall weeds with thick stalks

Carla Etheridge

Carla is a student pursuing a B.S in Agricultural Systems Technology. With a passion for landscaping for over 4 years, Carla loves plants. She has previously contributed to several other sites in the space before joining InsightWeeds.

The post 10 most common weeds with thorns appeared first on InsightWeeds.

One distinct way to tell weeds apart is to have a higher germination rate and have deep roots. However, it is not always easy to distinguish weeds from other plants because some look like small trees.

You might be tempted to leave the foreign tree that has started forming in your garden to grow, not knowing it is an invasive plant.

On the other hand, not every weed is dangerous; some are even willingly grown for their beneficial properties.

In this article, I have outlined several weeds that look like small trees to aid you in recognizing them.

1. Japanese knotweed

Japanese knotweed is one of the most invasive weeds in your garden. Furthermore, it spreads very fast and is extremely hard to control.

Therefore, I would advise you to get rid of it as soon as possible. It is so dangerous that it appeared on the world conservation union’s list of the world’s most invasive species.

Though it is a native Japanese plant, it has recently been sighted in different parts of the USA. Since most people do not know how dangerous it can be, homeowners have a hard time selling homes with the said weed in their garden and front yard.

At first sight, you can mistake it for a shrub due to its stout height and shape. On average, it measures anything between three to eight feet.

Its zig-zag stems are reddish and appear somehow jointed. Depending on the weather, this weed sometimes produces white-coloured panicles of flowers.

2. Southern magnolia

The Sothern magnolia is not your typical weed tree. However, it is grown in many parts of the world for its fragrant flowers and aesthetic.

This weed is easily distinguishable because of its creamy white flowers with yellow hues and thick brown bark, often peeling.

The problem with this tree is that it can grow very tall if left unchecked. In addition, its extensive roots knot together in the soil when it matures, crowding out other plants’ root systems.

Also, Southern magnolia requires a lot of nutrients to flourish, meaning there wouldn’t be a lot of nutrients left for other plants, making them harmful to some extent.

3. Willow trees

A willow tree is perfect for a massive farm as it has thick leaves that offer shade and is aesthetically pleasing.

Some people in Australia plant is entirely for wood as it makes beautiful furniture and figurines. It is also planted in flooded areas to drain the excess water.

However, it is not ideal for small gardens, parks, and backyards since its roots have the potential to grow up to 40 feet long.

Besides starving out the rest of the ecosystem, the roots will destroy the foundation of buildings, walkways, drains, and roads.

You can quickly identify a willow tree by its whitish bark with black patches, slender branches, and strong roots.

4. Hybrid poplar trees

Hybrid polar trees have very distinct compound leaves that are green with a yellow border. As the plant matures, the whole leaf turns yellow, then falls off, and the cycle repeats itself.

They have weed barks which often end up collapsing. The problem is the root system is very secure, so the plant will continually regrow.

If left to grow, your whole farm will have wilted-looking plants half the time.

5. Norway maple

As you can already tell from the name, the Norway maple is a native tree from Norway. So if you are looking for an aesthetic tree, this one will work perfectly.

The problem is it is very invasive and will starve other trees of nutrients, causing them to wither away.

The Norway maple is mainly grown for its aesthetic nature as it has broad dark green leaves that turn yellow in the fall and bears beautiful green-yellow non-edible fruits.

They will often appear in hedgerows or wooded areas, so keep an eye out.

6. Trees of heaven

Do not be fooled by the name; the tree of heaven is one of the most invasive weeds native to China but has now invaded Northern America.

It quickly multiplies by sprouting side shoots from the rootstalk, which go on and become a whole other plant.

The tree of heaven is dangerous because it releases toxins into the soil, eliminating an entire ecosystem in a short time.

Also, its leaves can cause painful rashes when they come into contact with human skin making it even harder to eliminate.

In the right conditions, this weed can grow up to 5 feet tall in one season and go on to reach 60 feet. This makes it one of the tallest weeds.

You can quickly tell it apart because of its tiny white flowers and fern-like leaves. Also, it emits a very odorous smell that is hard to miss.

7. Ricinus

Ricinus is a gorgeous plant, but it is equally dangerous. It can grow as tall as 4 feet in the right conditions, but it usually only averages 32 feet.

In addition, its flowers, leaves, and seeds produce a toxic chemical called ricin which is lethal if ingested by animals and humans, making it very dangerous for farm and wild animals.

8. Black locust

The Black locust is one of the fastest-growing weeds in the legume family. It is highly invasive and reproduces by seeds then dispersed by winds. It will have colonized your garden within no time and disrupted the ecosystem.

Most of the time, you will find Black locusts in a place with well-drained soil with a PH ranging from four to eight.

Its size mimics a small tree as its average height is 3 feet. In spring, it produces clusters of white flowers with a pleasant smell.

Also, they have pinnate compound leaves. Their leaves are their most distinguishable feature but check the bark, reddish, almost black, if you are unsure.

9. White mulberry

White mulberry is an invasive weed-like tree native to China but has recently spread to other areas.

Unfortunately, it is hard to get rid of because it is resistant to most herbicides and salt and can thrive in drought conditions. Ideally, this plant prefers warm and moist loamy soil but can grow anywhere.

You can tell it apart from its leaves because they grow in alternate arrangements, taking different structures such as serrate and dentate.

Its flowers are tiny and appear green in colour when young, then blossom to white when fully grown.

If left unchecked, the White mulberry is invasive and can colonize your garden in two seasons.

In addition, it looks like a small tree when matured, making it easy to mistake it for a beneficial tree.

10. Creeping thistle

The creeping thistle is relatively easy to spot, thanks to its distinct features. So naturally, it is a short weed of 2-5 feet.

It has purple flowers that look like nutcrackers with flowers at the top. Although it is a significant food source for farm birds, it can be invasive in your garden if left to grow.

Conclusion

It is not easy to differentiate weeds from other plants because some look like small trees. Japanese knotweed, southern magnolia, willow trees, hybrid polar trees, Norway tree Marple, trees of heaven, Ricinus, black locust, creeping thistle, and white mulberry are some of the weeds that look like trees.

However, not every weed is harmful; some are willingly grown for their beneficial properties.

Related Posts

• Weeds that look like tomato plants
• Weeds that look like rhubarb
• How to use gasoline to kill weeds

Carla Etheridge

Carla is a student pursuing a B.S in Agricultural Systems Technology. With a passion for landscaping for over 4 years, Carla loves plants. She has previously contributed to several other sites in the space before joining InsightWeeds.

The post 10 weeds that look like small trees appeared first on InsightWeeds.

However, tall weeds are another thing altogether. Due to their height and thick stalks, they look like actual trees. As such, you are likely to let them continue growing.

But make no mistake! Despite their appearance, large weeds that look like trees can be highly invasive. If left to grow, you risk creating an uncontrolled infestation in your garden.

On top of that, some of these plant-like weeds can be very aggressive – by depleting nutrients for your garden plants.

It is, therefore, necessary to identify any unknown giant weeds growing in your garden. You can choose the most appropriate solution for eradicating them by doing so.

Below, we have compiled a list of some of the most common tall weeds with thick stalks you will likely encounter in your garden.

1. Paulownia tree (Paulownia tomentosa)

The paulownia tree, also known as the princess or empress tree, is a fast-growing plant from the Paulowniaceae family.

The plant is native to Asia and was introduced to other parts of the world for its ornamental benefits. However, it is considered an invasive weed due to its fast growth.

Paulownia is a tall-growing plant, one of the tall weeds that look like trees – it can reach as high as 30 meters when mature. It has large leaves and a thick stalk even when young.

Another distinguishing feature of the empress tree is its flowers – there aren’t many tall weeds with purple flowers.

2. Pokeweed (Phytolacca Americana)

Pokeweed, also known as American pokeweed, is a perennial weed that is common in the North American region and Europe, and Asia.

It is an invasive weed with an extensive taproot system, making it challenging to eradicate. The plant is also highly poisonous to humans, animals, and pets.

Pokeweed is a tall-growing plant – reaching up to 10 feet. It is one of the most common weeds with thick herbaceous stalks.

As such, it resembles a shrub or a young tree. You can identify the weed by its reddish stem, small, white flowers, and green, lance-shaped leaves.

Another unique feature of the weed is its berries. When unripe and young, the fruits are green. As they mature, they turn into a dark shade of purple.

3. Bittersweet nightshade (Solanum dulcamara)

Bittersweet nightshade is an herbaceous, perennial vine plant. It grows in a wide range of areas, from gardens to hedges, marsh areas, woods, and other areas.

It is not considered a weed in some areas but can be invasive – spreading through seeds, creeping stems, and root systems.

Bittersweet nightshade is a high-growing tree that can reach up to 30 feet tall. It tends to climb over small trees, shrubs, and plants. Its branches can also grow low, forming a horizontal thicket.

Bittersweet nightshade has large, green leaves with purple tinges. It produces purple flowers (blooming around May to September) with a yellow stamen.

The weed plant also bears egg-shaped berries, which turn from green to orange and then red as they ripen.

4. Castor bean (Ricinus communis)

Castor bean plant, also known as the castor oil plant or Ricinus is a tall, fast-growing shrub-like plant. It is native to the African and Asian regions but has spread worldwide – introduced to new areas as an ornamental plant.

Ricinus plant grows pretty high, reaching heights of 12 meters. It has a thick stem with a purple-to-reddish color. It also sports huge leaves, whose shape appears like an open palm.

The leaves are shiny and have a dark reddish or purple color, which transforms into dark green as the plant matures.

Castor oil is not considered a weed in some areas and is even grown for its beauty or medicinal properties. However, it can establish itself in a place and become invasive.

Furthermore, the highly toxic plant produces a poisonous ricin compound that can seep into the soil and interfere with other plants.

5. Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica)

Japanese knotweed, also known as Asian knotweed, is an herbaceous plant originating from the Polygonaceae family (knotweeds and buckwheat). It is native to Asia but is found worldwide, particularly in Europe and North America.

The Japanese knotweed is one of those tall weeds with thick hollow stalks that can reach up to 4 meters high. The stems are green in color and have raised nodes – just like in bamboo stems.

The leaves are large, green, and heart-shaped but with a truncated base. In the summer and fall seasons, the weed also produces small, white, or cream flowers that shoot from upright stamens.

If you find this weed in your garden, follow this removal guide if you prefer natural methods or use any of these chemicals.

6. Western dock (Rumex occidentalis)

The western dock is a flowering plant that is native to the North American region. It is perennial, grows from a robust taproot system. It has medicinal uses, and the leaves and stems are both edible.

Western dock grows primarily forms a single, upright, reddish-brown stem that can reach up to 6 feet. The leaves are bright green, triangular, and blade-like in shape and have a truncated base.

They are somewhat similar to curly dock weed, except it is longer, pointed at the apex, and not as wavy. Instead, they are pretty identical to leaves from some species of spinach.

While the western dock plant is pretty beneficial, letting it grow in your garden might not be the best idea. It produces several seeds, which can cause a massive infestation.

It is also tough and can resist harsh climatic conditions once it reaches maturity. Therefore, if unchecked, eradicating it can be a monumental task.

7. Wild lettuce (Lactuca virosa)

Wild lettuce is the common name given to several lettuce species closely related to cultivated lettuce.

The most common of these species is the Lactuca virosa plant, which goes by several local names – bitter lettuce, opium lettuce, and great lettuce, among others.

Wild lettuce is native to Africa (northern regions), Asia, and Europe but has naturalized worldwide. It is one of the large weeds, reaching heights of up to 2.5 meters.

It has a single, thick, erect stem, which becomes pretty robust as the plant matures. The stalk is green in color but can range from brownish red, greyish green, and purple, depending on the species.

You can also identify wild lettuce by its leaves. They are green in color, thick, and elongated. They also have serrated edges and a strong vein along the midline.

The plant produces a white sap with analgesic and sedative properties, hence the opium lettuce.

8. Butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii)

Butterfly bush is a fast-growing flowering plant native to Asia and the Americas but common in most parts of the world.

It is a deciduous plant with arching bushes that can reach up to 15 feet. Therefore, it is one of those weeds that look like small trees.

Butterfly bush has green hairy stems when young and grey-brown and peeling as the plant matures. The leaves are dark green to blue-grey and usually have short hairs on the underside.

However, the most distinctive feature of the weed is its flowers. It produces showy flowers that grow spikes at the stem’s end.

They come in various colors, from pink to white, dark purple, orange, and yellow.

Butterfly bush can be cultivated as a flowering plant due to its attractive blossoms. However, it is an aggressive plant that can tolerate harsh conditions. If uncontrolled, it can overcrowd and overwhelm native plants.

9. Indian Hemp/dogbane (Apocynum cannabinum)

Hemp dogbane is a herbaceous perennial plant that is common in North America – throughout the US and southern parts of Canada.

It is a highly poisonous plant, particularly to dogs and livestock, but it can even be fatal if ingested by human beings.

It goes by several local names – Amy root, Indian hemp, Indian psychic, and rheumatism weed. The phrase “hemp” is used due to its similarity to the cannabis plant as a source of fiber – it does not have psychoactive properties.

Hemp dogbane is a large weed plant that grows as high as 2 meters. These weeds have thick, reddish stalks and produce a milky sap that can cause skin irritation. Its leaves are large, lanceolate-shaped, and grow in an opposite formation.

They are green in color with a smooth top surface and hairy underside. Hemp dogbane also produces large white flowers that bloom during summer.

10. Creeping thistle (Cirsium arvense)

Creeping thistle is a perennial flowering plant native to Asia, Europe, and northern parts of Africa.

However, it has been introduced to several regions worldwide for its ornamental properties. The plant goes by several local names, such as California thistle, corn thistle, field thistle, and Canadian thistle.

Creeping thistle is a tall, herbaceous weed plant that can grow up to 150 cm high. The plant starts growing in a basal rosette formation before transforming into upright, branching stems.

The creeping thistle produces dark green, oblong-shaped leaves that grow in an alternate formation on the stem. They have irregularly shaped edges, which are spiny.

The upper part of the leaves is smooth, while the underside is hairy. Another feature of the plant is the small, pink to purple flowers, which form at the top of the stems.

Creeping thistle is an aggressive weed plant that can invade pastures, fields, and gardens. It spreads quickly through seeds and its creeping tap root system.

On top of that, it is pretty tough and can withstand harsh climatic conditions, not to mention that it is resistant to most herbicides.

11. Wild sunflower (Helianthus annuus)

Sunflowers are not considered to be a weed by most people. They are grown commercially for oil, have aesthetic flowers, and even extract toxins from the soil.

However, despite these benefits, wild sunflowers can be pretty aggressive. They have a rapid root expansion and thus can spread very fast.

They are also very competitive and can be resistant to herbicides. Therefore, they can be a nightmare, especially if they start growing in crop fields and gardens.

The wild sunflower is a bushy plant that grows up to three meters tall with stout, hollow stems. It has greyish-green leaves, which grow in an alternate formation from the stem.

They are ovate to orbicular in shape, large (up to 10 cm long), and have toothed margins and fine hairs.

You can also identify the plant with its large, conspicuous yellow flowers with a sun-like shape – hence the name.

12. Giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum)

Giant hogweed is a perennial flowering plant native to Eurasia but was introduced to several parts of the world as an ornamental plant.

It is considered to be a noxious weed in most places – it spreads very fast, overcrowding other plants, and produces a toxic sap that is toxic to human beings.

Giant hogweed is one of the big weeds – hence the name – with the potential to reach up to 5.5 meters high. You can identify it by its thick, green stalks with purple blotches and coarse hairs at the base from where leaves emerge.

It also has large, deeply incised, and loved leaves that grow in an alternating pattern.

However, its most unique feature is the large white flowers, which form an umbrella-like design at the top of the plant.

13. Thickhead (Crassocephalum crepidioides)

Thickhead is a herbaceous weed plant that is native to sub-Saharan Africa but widespread worldwide.

It goes by several local names, such as fireweed, redflower ragleaf, and hawksbeard velvet plant. It primarily grows in crop fields, forestry plantations, gardens, parks, roadsides, waster areas, etc.

The thickhead weed plant has tall-growing, erect stems that grow up to 1.5 meters high. They can be hairless or have small amounts of hair.

Leaves shoot out from the stem in an alternate formation, and they can grow pretty huge (up to 20 cm long and 10 cm wide). These leaves are ovate-shaped, have a toothed margin and a pointed apex, and are usually lobed.

The final identifying feature of the thickhead weed is the flowers. The plant produces clustered flower heads, which grow at the top. They range in color from orange to reddish, purple, or pinkish.

14. Common mullein (Verbascum thapsus)

Common mullein, also known as the great mullein, is a biennial plant native to Africa, Asia, and Europe. It commonly grows on roadsides, hedgerows, railroads, pastures, gardens, meadows, and more.

Common mullein is not considered highly aggressive; it is not as competitive against other plants. It is also easy to eradicate using mechanical (hands) or chemical (herbicides) solutions.

That being said, it produces several thousand seeds and has a deep taproot system. As a result, it has the potential to spread very fast, becoming quite a nuisance.

As one of the most common weeds with thick stalks, the common mullein grows in a single upright stem that reaches up to two meters. It has large, oblong-shaped leaves that reach up to 50 cm long.

They grow in rosette formation during the first year, and after that, they grow in an alternate shape.

The plant’s leaves are greyish-green in color, with a smooth upper side and a hairy underside. Besides that, you can identify common mullein by its small, yellow flowers that group densely in a spiral formation up the stem.

15. Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera)

Himalayan balsam is a large annual flowering plant native to the Himalayan region. However, it spread to several areas after being introduced as an ornamental plant.

Himalayan balsam is considered to be an invasive plant in several areas. It is aggressive, proliferating quickly through seed dispersal (one plant can produce up to 800 seeds). It is also very competitive and tends to crowd out and out other vegetation.

Himalayan balsam is a tall-growing weed plant that reaches up to 3 meters high. It has large, broadleaf leaves (up to 23 cm long), lanceolate-shaped.

They are bright green and shoot out from the red-tinged stem. The plant also produces a cluster of pink to purplish flowers, which bloom between June and October.

Summary

The above are some tall weeds with thick stalks that you can find in your garden. Hopefully, they can help you identify the plants you are dealing with and whether they are invasive or not.

However, several more weeds fit the criteria. If the plant you are dealing with is not in the list above, there are a few other ways of identifying it.

For example, you can look up its features (stem, leaves, and flowers) on the internet. You can also take a picture and use a plant identification app to find its name.

Carter

IW’s Chief Editor and a lover of green spaces.

The post 15 tall weeds with thick stalks you may find in your garden appeared first on InsightWeeds.

Unfortunately, weed identification, especially when dealing with broadleaf weeds, is not easy. There are several invasive species, and some are very easy to confuse with others.

But worry not! Here is a list of the most common types of broadleaf weeds with their scientific names. It covers the essential information you need to identify different broadleaf weeds.

What are broadleaf weeds?

It is essential to look at broadleaf weed’s definition before looking at the various types of these invasive plants.

Broadleaf weeds are invasive plants with broad leaves that usually grow from a stem. The leaves typically have a central vein at the center, with other small veins that branch out.

These weeds are also very conspicuous and stick out. Therefore, you can identify broadleaf weeds by photo comparison with ease.

20 most common broadleaf weeds

These are some of the most common broadleaf weeds that you might come across in your yard.

1. Chickweed (Stellaria media)

Are chickweeds broadleaf weeds? Yes, they are. They are an annual and perennial flowering plant native to the European region. However, they have spread and adapted to various areas worldwide.

Chickweeds are low-growing plants with hairy stems. They have broad, long and oval-shaped leaves pointed at the tip. They also produce small, white, star-shaped flowers.

Chickweeds are a beneficial weed plant due to their several health (herbal) benefits. However, they are an invasive species, easily proliferating moist and fertile soils. A single chickweed plant can produce several thousand seeds, making them a nightmare to kill.

2. White Clover (Trifolium repens)

White clover is a perennial broadleaf invasive plant native to Europe and Central Asia. However, it can be found worldwide and is common in the North American region.

White clover has broad, ovate, and dull green leaves with white markings (sometimes can be red). The plant is trifoliate – has compound leaves with three leaflets. It has white flowers, which appear in groupings of smaller flowers.

3. Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum)

Wild Geranium is a perennial plant native in the North American region. It is considered by many people to be a wildflower – and is cultivated for its aesthetic and medicinal properties. However, it is a fast-spreading plant that proliferates through the use of rhizomes.

Wild Geranium has conspicuous basal leaves that have about three to seven lobes. The leaves grow from long stalks – about 12 to 28 inches tall.

Another distinct feature of the plant is the attractive purple leaves, which have five rounded petals. Therefore, you can easily identify the wild Geranium in your property by comparing it with other broadleaf weed pictures.

4. Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)

Milkweed is a perennial plant that is native to the North American region. It is considered by some to be a wildflower but is an invasive plant spreading aggressively through seeds and rhizomes.

Milkweed has leaves, which are wide, thick, and long (about 10 to 20 cm) and grow in opposite pairs. They have a smooth surface on the top and fine hairs at the bottom. It also has pink (sometimes white) flowers that form a spherical cluster.

5. Bull Thistle (Cirsium vulgare)

Bull Thistle is a biennial weed plant that is native to Europe, Africa, and Asia. It has dark green, oval-shaped leaves that are broad at the apex with spines at the edges. As the plant matures, the leaves become deeply lobed and the spines more pronounced.

Aside from leaves, the bull thistle has distinct pink to purple flowers. They protrude out of a gumdrop-shaped flower head, with spines that extend all around.

6. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)

Dandelion is a perennial broadleaf weed that grows in sunny regions of Northern America, Europe, Australia, and several other regions. It grows from taproots, which produce several stems with short hairs. It has basal leaves – growing from the stem, close to the ground.

The dandelion plant’s most conspicuous feature is its yellow blooms. The flowers grow on hollow stems, with the seed head having a puffball-like appearance.

7. Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea)

Ground Ivy is an aggressive perennial weed that is pretty difficult to control. It goes by several other names, the most popular one being creeping Charlie.

Ground Ivy, like the name suggests, grows close to the ground and spreads by creeping. It has round kidney-shaped leaves that are bright green and have scallops at the edges.

Another way to easily identify the plant is by its purple (or blueish) funnel-shaped flowers that sprout along the stems.

8. Chicory

Chicory is a biennial, but primarily perennial broadleaf weed that propagates by seeds. It has a distinctive basal rosette, from where winged branches and sparsely spaced leaves grow.

Chicory leaves are rough and hairy on both upper and lower surfaces and are similar to those of dandelions. When blooming, the plant has conspicuous, bright blue flower heads that grow on tall stems (up to three feet).

9. Curly dock (Rumex crispus)

Curly dock is a perennial broadleaf weed. You can usually find it on low-maintenance fields, pastures, nurseries, and orchards. It is also a common sight on roadsides. It usually grows in the Northern America region – all over the U.S and Southern Canada.

The curly dock can be identified by its shiny, green leaves, which transform into a reddish-purple color as the plant matures. The leaves grow from the bottom of the stem, in a rosette pattern.

They are oblong-shaped and have wavy margins. When flowering, the plant produces elongated stems, with yellow (or reddish-brown petals).

10. Prostrate spurge (Euphorbia supine)

Prostrate spurge is an annual broadleaf weed that is a common sight in the summer. It is an aggressive, fast-growing plant, that grows in poor soils, poorly maintained turf grass, driveways, sidewalks, etc.

Prostrate spurge has red, low-growing stems that form a mat-like appearance. Its leaves are dark green in color, and sport red spots at the center. When flowering, the plant produces small and pink flowers. The stem also has a milky, white sap, that can cause skin irritation.

11. Wild violets (Viola papilionacea)

Wild violet is a perennial wildflower that is native to the eastern regions of North America. It is a beautiful violet flower, that produces dainty petals in spring. However, it is also an aggressively growing weed that proliferates lawns and yards and is hard to eradicate.

The wildflower can grow in any area, even tolerating droughty conditions. However, it prefers moist, fertile soils. It can be easily identified by its heart-shaped leaves with scalloped edges, and large blue to purple flowers.

12. Bittersweet nightshade (Solanum dulcamara)

Bittersweet nightshade is a semi-woody, perennial vine that is native to Europe and Asia. However, it has spread and become natural in almost every region, including North America.

It is an aggressive weed plant, which is a common sight in less maintained gardens and lawns. It can also grow on landscapes, along fence rows, streams, and wetlands.

Bitter nightshade has arrow-shaped leaves, which are usually lobed at the base. They are dark green in color but can sport purple tinges.

It produces star-shaped flowers with a yellow stamen protruding from the center. It also produces green berries, that turn bright red when they ripen.

13. Common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia)

Common ragweed is one of the most commonly occurring broadleaf weeds in the Americas region. It can be found on lawns, gardens, agricultural fields, and waste areas. It is an annual crop that sprouts in the summer and is popular for its pollen that causes serious allergic reactions.

You can identify common ragweed by its dark-green, thick, hairy leaves that look like a spatula as the plant emerges. Over time, they progress into a fern-like shape, with the hairiness becoming more pronounced.

Common ragweed grows tall and upright and blooms by producing green to yellow, streamer-like flowers. At the top of the stem are the male flowers, which produce pollen.

14. Dog fennel (Eupatorium capillifolium)

Dog fennel is one of the most common broadleaf grass weeds that affect lawns. Also known as summer cedar, it primarily grows in poorly maintained turf, lawns, golf courses, or playfields.

Dog fennel is a tall-growing plant that can reach up to three feet. It has soft and week stems, which become hard and woody as the plant matures.

It is easily identified by its hairy stem and oval-shaped, hairless, and finely dissected leaves. The weed produces small white flowers, which look a lot like daisies.

15. Common yellow oxalis (Oxalis stricta)

Common yellow oxalis is an invasive weed plant found in the North American region. It primarily infests cultivated gardens, but can also be found on roadsides and waste areas.

Common yellow oxalis has long petioles, from where three heart-shaped leaflets grow from. It also produces conspicuous yellow flowers with five clustered petals.

16. Red clover (Trifolium pratense)

Red clover is a herbaceous flowering plant that is native to Europe, Africa, and Western Asia. However, it has naturalized to many regions and is a common sight in North America.

Red clover has dark green leaves that sprout as three leaflets from long-growing leaflets. The plant is very similar to white clover, with a few differences such as pink to red flowers. It also grows vertical and tall, while the white clover weed grows short and spreads horizontally.

Both red and white clover plants are used as forage due to their legume fruits. However, they are fast-growing and spread easily through seeds and rhizomes. As such, if not closely monitored, they tend to become invasive; driving out other native vegetation.

We have created a guide to help you eliminate white clover from your yard.

17. Fireweed (Erechtites hieraciifolia)

Fireweed, also called American Burnweed, is an annual broadleaf weed that sprouts in the summer. It is a robust growing plant with long stems that can either be hairy or smooth.

Fireweed produces bright-green leaves that are narrow and pointed at the base and tips. However, their most distinctive feature is the pink to purple flowers with four petals – similar to those of the evening primrose.

18. False dandelion (Hypochoeris radicata)

False dandelion, also known as Carolina False Dandelion or Leafy Stem Dandelion is a perennial broadleaf weed. It is native to the European region but has spread to the Americas, Asia, and Oceania region.

False dandelion primarily grows in lawns and paddocks. It is very similar to the dandelion plant (Taraxacum officinale) but has several differences – hence why the name.

Both false and true dandelions have similar bright green, leaves that are serrated along the edges. However, the former’s flowers are hairy and have rounded lobes, while true dandelions are smooth and pointed.

The flowers are also similar – bright yellow and growing at the end of the stems. However, false dandelion flowers grow high above the rosette leaves.

19. Horseweed (Conyza Canadensis)

Horseweed is a common broadleaf weed that primarily grows in agricultural areas in the North and Central Americas. It is a native plant to the region but is considered a weed due to its high proliferation.

Horseweed produces several small seeds, that are scattered wide and far by the wind. It is also very tough, and can even be resistant to strong herbicides such as Glyphosate.

You can identify horseweed by its elongated and pointed leaves with serrated edges. They grow in a rosette arrangement at the base of the stem, then alternately along its length. The stem is also tall and upright-growing and can reach high heights of up to five feet.

20. Pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus)

Pigweed is a broadleaf plant that sprouts in the summer. It is known by several names, such as Amaranth Pigweed, Careless Weed, or Green Amaranth.

It is a species of the Amaranthus family of plants, which are cultivated in several regions around the world as leafy vegetables. Despite being edible, pigweed is an aggressively growing plant.

It invades crop fields, gardens, lawns, and spreads very fast by producing thousands of seeds. The seeds are also very tough. They can survive for a few decades and still sprout when the right conditions occur.

You can identify pigweed by its stems and leaves. The stem grows upright and tall, from where the leaves branch freely. The bottom part is smooth but becomes hairy at the top.

The leaves are oval-shaped and pointed at the tips. They are shiny and dark green with a smooth top and hairy bottom.

Summary

Do you have a broadleaf weed problem? With several types of these weed species – some very similar – proper identification is a crucial step towards identification.

The above are some of the most common types of broadleaf weeds that you are likely to encounter.

Some of the weeds are conspicuous and easy to identify. On the other hand, some are harder to identify, and can even look like other plants.

However, by closely looking at their features, you can be able to distinguish them and choose the right control solution.

Related Guides

• List of beneficial weeds and their uses
• The most common weeds and their scientific names with pictures
• The different types of sticker weeds
• List of lawn weeds in Virginia
• Types of leaves and their botanical names

Carter

IW’s Chief Editor and a lover of green spaces.

The post Broadleaf weeds identification: common types with images appeared first on InsightWeeds.

As invasive species, these plants have been changing over time, hence the relative name. Because weeds come in different types, the best way of identifying them is by their scientific names.

Here, we will describe the most common weeds and their scientific names.

Theoretically, every recognized plant on earth has a two-part scientific name. The system used to classify them is known as binomial nomenclature.

Scientific names of plants are descriptions to suggest something about them.

An advantage of identifying plants by their scientific names is it becomes easier to know how to control them and determine their usefulness.

Here is a list of weeds that you are likely to find in your garden or yard and their scientific names. We have included pictures too so that you can identify them easily.

1. African Feather Grass – Cenchrus macrourus

The African Feather Grass, also known as bedding grass, is a perennial, clump-forming grass that can reach a height of about two meters.

It has deep fibrous roots and rhizomes that form new plants. Its leaves are harsh, strongly ribbed, and tough.

The plant is dark-green underneath and light green on top. Its stems are round, purplish-white, and have fine hairs that break when touched, causing skin irritations.

As one of the many grass weeds, you can control it by slashing or burning it before its seeds set it. You can also apply glyphosate or flupropanate during periods of growth to eliminate it.

2. African Lily – Agapanthus praecox

The African lily, also known as the blue lily, is a well-known garden weed throughout the world. It is a perennial plant with open-faced flowers.

Its flowers are white, blue, or purple, and bloom in the summer. When you open its capsules, you will find fine black seeds.

As a homeowner, you should try and control this plant because it has powerful roots that can penetrate or break concrete. Unlike other weeds, the Agapanthus praecox is challenging to remove.

It is resistant to most herbicides. The best way of eliminating it is to dig it out and spray the area evenly using a chemical surfactant. You can also use vinegar to eliminate the weed.

3. African Lovegrass – Eragrostis curvula

The African Lovegrass or weeping lovegrass is one of the most common garden weeds whose scientific name is Eragrostis curvula.

It is a long-lived perennial grass that can also be an annual plant in some regions.

When growing, it forms a dense root network with tufts of stems that are about two meters long and a diameter of 8 centimeters.

Its leaves are hair-like, narrow, rough, and blue-green to bright green.

The weed is tough to control at home. Its roots can penetrate over four meters deep in the soil and three meters laterally.

Its seedlings can send out many small rootlets, thus creating a dense root system. A useful way of eliminating it is to till with a deep disc or plow in hot, dry weather.

4. Canada Thistle – Cirsium arvense

The Canada thistle is a perennial flowering plant that thrives in areas with moderate temperatures, sunlight, and lots of groundwater.

It can grow to a height of 1.5 meters with thickened roots that spread many erect shoots. Its leaves have wavy spiny or toothed margins that are alternate, irregularly shaped, and lance-shaped.

The stems of the plant are smooth with short hairs. Its flowers are pink and purple. Canada thistle is adaptive and the worst invasive weed.

Controlling it is through snipping off the base of the plant. Avoid pulling it out because it can split its roots and cause two more of the weed to grow back.

5. Common Chicory – Cichorium intybus

The Common Chicory is a woody, perennial herbaceous plant with bright blue flowers that can sometimes be pink or white.

It grows in the wild, especially on roadsides, and has a robust, grooved, and hairy stem. Its leaves are light purple or lavender, and it has broad flower heads.

As a weed, chicory adapts to well-drained soils in full sun. If it grows in your small garden, removing it by hand is the most practical method of controlling it.

But you must ensure you get rid of all its roots.

6. Common Self-heal – Prunella vulgaris

The Common Self-heal is a perennial herbaceous plant that grows to a height of 30 centimeters. Its stem is reddish, hard, and self-rooting.

Its leaves are lance-shaped, reddish at the axis, and serrated.

People who identify weeds by photos will notice that the common self-heal mostly grows on waste places, gardens, and roadsides.

If the plant is sprouting in lawns, control it by spraying a 2,4-D-based herbicide. Apply the treatment during chilly, moist, and calm climatic conditions.

7. Couch Grass – Elymus repens

The couch grass is a perennial weed characterized by creeping rhizomes that enable it to grow faster across grassland.

Its leaves are linear, flat, and hairy, with upright flower spikes. You can also identify it by the stems, which grow to a length of up to 1.5 meters.

Couch grass is one of the many naturalized weeds in the world categorized as invasive.

It can be challenging to remove it from the garden since the thin rhizomes can become twisted among shrubs.

Therefore, you can eliminate it by pulling it out during the spring. You can also dig deep in the ground to remove the entire grass.

8. Crabgrass – Digitaria sanguinalis

When you want to identify common weeds in the Digitaria sanguinalis class of species, you will come up with many names, including crabgrass, large crabgrass, purple crabgrass, and more.

It is a weed used as animal fodder with edible seeds. The crabgrass is an annual plant that has long, thin, radiating branches.

The crabgrass can be weedy or invasive. A practical way of killing it is to remove its visible clumps by pulling them out, including the roots.

Also, a simple solution of regular household vinegar and dish detergent can help to get rid of Digitaria sanguinalis.

If you want to prevent this grass from growing on your lawn, you should use a crabgrass preventer.

9. Dandelion – Taraxacum officinale

The Dandelion is a flowering herbaceous perennial plant. It is one of the many types of weeds that grow in temperate regions.

You will find them on lawns, on banks, on roadsides, on waterways, and on moist soils.

Its stems are upright, tinted purplish, and produce narrowly winged or unwinged leaves with yellow flower heads.

As a perennial plant, the best way of eliminating it from your lawn is to spray it with broadleaf herbicides. Herbicides will kill the entire plant, including the leaves and roots.

10. Duckweed – Portulaca oleracea

The duckweed, also known as common purslane, is an annual succulent characterized by smooth, reddish, prostrate stems. It can grow to a height of 40 centimeters with yellow flowers.

Its flowers can appear at any time of the year, especially with enough rainfall.

The duckweed has a taproot system with fibrous secondary roots. It can withstand poorly compacted soils and even grow in drought regions.

You can eliminate it by using 2,4-D-based herbicide or uprooting it using gardening tools.

11. English Plantain – Plantago lanceolata

The English plantain is a common rosette-forming perennial weed on cultivated land. It has a flower stalk that can produce up to two hundred seeds.

Plantago lanceolata can live in rainforest areas and dry meadows.

Although the plant has a taproot system, its ability to produce many seeds from one leaf makes it challenging to control. To eliminate it, start by pulling out the entire plant and root.

A rule of thumb is to pick off any flower stalks immediately after they begin to sprout to prevent them from spreading the seeds.

12. Groundsel – Senecio vulgaris

The Groundsel is an annual flowering plant that can grow to a height of 45 centimeters. It has sessile leaves that lack a stem and alternate in the direction along the length of the plant.

Its root system has a shallow taproot. Because of this trait, the weed can only spread by reseeding itself.

It is easy to control the groundsel because of its taproot system.

You can remove it by hand-pulling or cutting it off through hoeing. Ensure to eliminate the plant before it flowers and sets seed.

13. Ground Ivy – Glechoma hederacea

The Ground Ivy is a perennial plant considered an aggressive invasive weed. You will find it on most lawns because of its extensive root system. It is easy to identify it because its leaves are kidney-like or fan-shaped. The plant can spread by either its seed or stolon.

The Ground Ivy is a challenging plant to eradicate because of its root system and how it spreads.

It is the primary reason the weed has many other names, including creeping charlie, run-away-robin, and catsfoot.

You cannot eliminate it by hand-pulling. A practical way is to use a broadleaf herbicide that contains dicamba.

14. Knotgrass – Polygonum aviculare

The common Knotgrass, also known as prostrate knotweed, is an annual plant found in wastelands, arable land, and fields and grows mostly in temperate regions.

It has white flowers, a semi-erect stem, and hairless, short-stalked leaves. Its seeds need ample light to germinate and heavy rains of spring, hence the reason you will find it in disturbed soils.

It also has a long taproot that helps it to survive in hot climates.

The best way of eradicating the weed is to use glyphosate-based herbicides. Spray its leaves in the late summer or early autumn.

15. Orchardgrass – Dactylis glomerata

The Orchardgrass is a weed characterized by a dense network of non-rhizomatous roots. It is a perennial plant that can grow to a height of 120 centimeters.

Its leaves are V-shaped near the base and have a closed sheath.

Since its roots are dense, the plant tends to grow fast. Its rooting depths can reach up to two feet.

To control it, start by pulling it out and spraying the area using glyphosate herbicide.

16. Red dead-nettle – Lamium purpureum

The Red dead-nettle, also known as purple dead-nettle, is an annual herbaceous flowering plant characterized by a square stem that grows to a height of 20 centimeters.

Its leaves have fine hairs and are green in color at the bottom and purplish at the top. It has a taproot system that forms dense colonies by reseeding itself.

You can use glyphosate to control the weed while it is actively growing in spring or fall and in cold climates.

If you are a gardener, spread some mulch on the area you cleared to control the seeds.

17. Spotted Spurge – Euphorbia maculata

The Spotted Spurge is a fast-growing annual plant common in gardens and lawns. It is a weed that sprouts in sunny locations and different soils.

Its leaves are oval, its flowers are small with white petals, and its stem has a length of about 45 centimeters.

When you look at pictures of common weeds, you will notice that the Spotted Spurge is a small plant that you can remove by pulling.

But you should do it before it flowers and produces seeds. You can also kill it by using a weed killer or a non-selective herbicide containing 25% glyphosate.

18. Wild Madder – Rubia peregrine

The Wild Madder is a perennial herbaceous weed that grows in bushes, thickets, stony grounds, hedges, and along paths and roads.

It has a woody stem, which is also climbing, square, and hairless, and can reach a length of up to 2.5 meters. Its leaves are evergreen, sessile, leathery, and glossy.

As one of the common weeds and their botanical names on this list, Rubia peregrine refers to a plant that is resistant to stress.

You can eliminate it by using herbicides, burning, or uprooting it.

19. Yellow Foxtail – Setaria pumila

The Yellow Foxtail is an invasive annual weed that grows in lawns, roadsides, sidewalks, and other areas.

It can grow to a height of 20 centimeters and has a hairless stem whose color can range from purple-tinged to green. When growing, it tends to spread aggressively, making it difficult to control it.

If the weed has invaded your garden or sidewalk, eliminate it by pulling off its seed heads to prevent it from repopulating the same area.

You can also dig deep into the soil to remove its roots. Alternatively, use pre-emergence herbicides to kill it permanently.

20. Yellow Woodsorrel – Oxalis stricta

The Yellow Woodsorrel is a herbaceous plant that grows in woodlands, disturbed areas, and meadows. It is both an annual and perennial weed that has clover-like leaves.

When you look at pictures of weeds, it is easy to spot the plant because it is common in most gardens, and people have used it in salads. However, it also has poisonous parts.

When it blooms, it produces yellow flowers and grows to a maximum height of one foot. It can also spread quickly because the plant grows in all types of soil.

You can eliminate it by hand or dig it up using a hoe. Another option is to use a non-selective herbicide.

In conclusion

The 20 most common weeds and their scientific names are those that grow in backyards, lawns, small gardens, and walkways. Some of them are perennial, and others are annual.

Depending on the characteristics of the plants, you can eliminate them by hand-pulling, digging out, or using a non-selective herbicide.

Carter

IW’s Chief Editor and a lover of green spaces.

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