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Weed Identification and Control

Weeds are one of the most common and frustrating lawn care problems. This website has tips and advice on preventing and controlling weeds as well as countless images to help identify the weeds causing you problems.

Lawn and Turf Aeration

Aerating the lawn is one of the most beneficial tasks for the lawn. It helps create a healthy growing environment in the soil and eliminates many lawn care problems. We have information on the different types of aeration and the benefits of each.

Thatch

Thatch is the accumulation of organic matter between the grass plant and the soil. Although a small amount is acceptable and is beneficial to the lawn, too much can cause major problems.

Creating a Problem Free Lawn

Most gardeners desire a thick green carpet of grass, free of weeds, moss and other common lawn problems. This is easier to achieve than most people think.

Feeding the Lawn

All lawns require feeding at various points throughout the year to help maintain good turf vigour. We have tips and advice on what fertiliser to apply for the optimum results.

Showing posts with label bristly-ox tongue. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bristly-ox tongue. Show all posts

Saturday, 9 June 2012

Bristly-ox Tongue

Picris echioides

bristly-ox tongue
General Information: Bristly ox-tongue is a dandelion type weed which is both annual and biennial.

It is not often found  in well maintained lawns, it is more confined to general purpose and neglected lawns.

The weed forms as a basal plant and will adapt to tolerate close mowing if needed.

However it can reach a height of 1 metre if left alone and allowed to grow.

Leaf: Bristly ox-tongue has long narrow oblong shaped leaves.

Each leaf has many whitish swollen pimples which are rough and bristly, which can cause some irritation and discomfort when handled.

The weed takes it name from the characteristics of the leaves.

Flowers: Bristly ox-tongue flowers are can be seen from June to September, as it produces clusters of yellow Dandelion type  flowers.

Each flower is capable of reaching up to 25mm in diameter.

Habitat: Bristly ox-tongue will grow on a wide range of soil types. However it is usually confined to bare ground and neglected areas of turf.

Control: Hand weed any individual plants. For a large infestation a selective herbicide will have to be used.

Use a selective weed killer containing a mixture of 2,4-D, Dicamba and Mecoprop-p, repeat again 6 weeks later if necessary.