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Key identifying traits
Small white flowers in dense clusters mainly at ends of stems
Four flower petals, each 1/16 inch long
Plant grows from 1 to over 3 feet tall
Leaves are alternate, lance like, bright green to gray-green,
sometimes toothed on margins
Basal leaves are larger than upper leaves
Two small, rounded, flattened, slightly hairy reddish-brown seeds per
fruit silicle (pod)
Biology and ecology
A perennial spread by roots and seeds
Prefers wet sites but can invade cropland-more often in pastures,
ditches and roadsides
Flowering occurs from early summer to fall
Extensive root system and waxy layer on leaves and stems make it
difficult to control
A wide and fluctuating range of winter temperatures favors seed
germination
Control
Prevention – Learn to identify
plants; know your property; beware of fill dirt, hay and seed from outside
your area- due to difficulty controlling this weed prevention and early
control are important
Biological – None known at this time
Cultural – Competitive vegetation aids in control
Mechanical – Repeated hand pulling and digging are good for
limited infestations-clean tillage equipment to avoid spreading roots
Chemical – Some broad leaf
herbicides are effective; timing seems to be best at the bud-bloom stage
of growth; must be used with care around moist sites;
refer to the
PNW Weed Management Handbook for specific chemical recommendations
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flowering plants
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