Parsley Piert

Aphanes arvensis

General - Parsley Piert is an annual lawn weed, which is very common in closely mown areas of turf, as it spreads it forms in small clusters in the lawn.

The weed is often an indicator of mowing too closely, coupled with a nutrient deficiency (lack of fertiliser) in the lawn.

Leaves - The small fan shaped leaves of Parsley Piert has 3 deeply toothed lobes.

Flowers - Parsley Piert flowers between May and September, the tiny green flowers which are barely noticeable, form at the base of the leaves.

Habitat - The weed thrives in sandy, free draining soils, especially those which are deficient in nutrients.

Cultural Control - Hand weeding can prove effective for a small number of plants. Avoid mowing the lawn to close as this stresses the turf, which in turn creates thin, weak and even bare areas where this weed can invade.

Apply adequate nutrition with a balanced fertiliser program, this will help keep the lawn thick and healthy and discourage weeds.

Chemical Control - Parsley Piert is a difficult weed to control with selective weed killers.

If you go down the chemical route a mixture of 2,4-D and dicamba or alternatively a mixture of fluroxypry and clopyralid will be the most effective against Parsley Piert.

However repeat applications will most likely be needed for effective control.