Key identifying traits
-
Leaves have prickly margins and are
lobed -upper leaves less lobed and are clasping
-
Plants grow anywhere from 1-6’ tall
and are usually slender
-
Flowers are yellow and resemble
dandelions
-
Plants contain a milky juice
-
This
plant does not have the gland tipped hairs that are seen on
perennial sowthistle (S. arvensis)
-
Seeds are
dark brown and prominently ridged and wrinkled, with a tuft of soft
white hairs that help with wind dispersal
Biology and ecology
-
A
perennial plant spreading by seeds & an extensive creeping root
system
that grows up to 10’ deep
-
Plants
are capable of producing up to 13,000 seeds that can remain dormant
in the soil for up to 6 years
-
It is a native of Europe but now
found world wide in temperate zones
-
Found in gardens, fields and
roadsides
Control
Prevention –
Learn to identify plants; know your property; beware of fill dirt, hay
and seed from outside your area
Biological –
None available in Washington
Cultural –
Good vegetative cover
lessens potential but this weed can invade well managed sites
Mechanical –
Grazing, cutting mowing, cultivation and digging can reduce seed set but
does not eliminate all plants or root spread
Chemical – Several effective at
label rates; crop and site considerations may influence choices and
timing
|
Richard Old, XID Services, Inc. |
