Key identifying traits
- Flowers are white and
inconspicuously small
- Stems are square which
is a trait usually associated with the Mint family
- Leaves are linear, with
bristly hairs, and in whorls of 6 to 8
- Stems are weak and get
easily tangled around legs or other plants
- Fruits (seed pods) are
covered with fine hooked hair and cling to wool, fur, and
clothing
- Plants will grow to 80
inches long
- Also known as “Cleavers”
Biology and ecology
- An annual plant
reproducing by seed
- This plant is a native
to North America and has been recorded in every state in the
U.S. except Hawaii
- Seeds are mainly spread
by animals and people
- Can be a serious weed in
cultivated fields but the main problem isn't competition with
crops but difficulty in harvesting when bedstraw becomes tangled
with the crop or equipment
Control
Prevention –
Learn to identify plants; know your property; do not overgraze
pastures
Biological –
No known biological control
Cultural –
Planting a competitive crop or ground cover will help
Mechanical –
If only a few plants pulling or digging may be the best option,
regular mowing at a low height can be effective
Chemical – Several herbicides
are on the market that will control bedstraw; easier to treat when
plants are young: refer to the
PNW Weed Management Handbook for specific chemical
recommendations
|
Photos above and below by Mike Haddock, Kansas Wildflowers &
Grasses |
