Pearl Snaps

Stories of a cowgirl living life by her own lights


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Weedy Wednesday: Henbit

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Henbit

Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule L.) and purple deadnettle (Lamium purpureum L.) are winter annual species of the same genus and are frequently confused with each other. Both species are often called henbit. These weeds germinate in the fall and sometimes in the spring. They are found throughout the eastern United States and thrive in both cool-season and warm-season forage grasses. Both species also grow in fine turf, orchards, gardens, landscapes, and cultivated crops.

Purple Deadnettle

Henbit flowers are pink to red and occur in clusters, 6 to 10 inches tall in the upper leaf stalks. Purple deadnettle flowers occur near the tops of the plant and are less purple than henbit flowers. The most striking difference is that the purple deadnettle’s upper leaves and stems are very red in appearance compared to henbit.

These weeds are relatively easy to control with several herbicides; however, mowing is ineffective. Consult your local Cooperative Extension Service personnel for herbicidal control in your area.

William W. Witt, PhD, a researcher in the department of Plant and Soil Science at the University of Kentucky, provided this information.


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Weedy Wednesday: Spiny Pigweed

Photo courtesy of John D. Byrd, Mississippi State University

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Spiny pigweed (Amaranthus spinosus L.), also known as Spiny amaranth is a warm season annual native to the Tropical Americas.  It is not considered a poisonous plant.  Spiny pigweed is distributed widely across the United States and grows most frequently along fence borders, feeding and watering sites, and other compacted areas. Spiny pigweed can sometimes infest entire overgrazed pastures. Seeds germinate in late spring or early summer. Stems are reddish, stout, and branched, and mature plants can grow to three feet tall. Sharp spines that inhibit grazing are found in stem axils and are surrounded by dense clusters of female flowers. The male flowers are long terminal clusters.

Spiny pigweed control is relatively easy when herbicides are applied to plants less than 12 inches tall. Mowing and hand weeding are effective if done before flower production to prevent seeding. Consult your local Cooperative Extension Service personnel for herbicidal control in your area.

William W. Witt, PhD, a researcher in the department of Plant and Soil Science at the University of Kentucky, provided this information.


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Weedy Wednesday: Sandburs

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Common name: Sandburs
Scientific name: Cenchrus spinifex Cav. (field sandbur)
Cenchrus longispinus (Hack.) Fern (longspine sandbur)

Life Cycle: Annual
Origin: Americas
Poisonous: No

Sandbur is the common name for several annual grasses that produce burs with multiple sharp spines. These grasses grow in pastures, landscape beds, gardens, fields, and roadsides. Field sandbur and longspine sandbur are the two most common species. Southern sandbur is another species that is more narrowly distributed along southern states. All are native to the Americas.

Sandburs are particularly problematic at maturity. Because of their sharp burs, they inhibit grazing of desirable grasses; it is difficult for horses to selectively graze around the sandbur. Sandburs are a major weed of bermudagrass hay fields, in particular. Hay infested with sandburs also is undesirable because the burs inhibit hay consumption.

Sandburs are annual plants with a fibrous root system and depend on the burs for reproduction (fruit is encased in the bur). Sandburs are spread easily because the burs stick to domestic and wild animals. Though nontoxic, mechanical damage can occur if horses consume the burs.

Sandburs are not easily controlled without killing desirable forage grasses. However, small patches can be removed by hand. Mowing usually is ineffective for controlling or preventing bur formation. Consult your local Cooperative Extension Service personnel for herbicidal control in your area.

This information was provided by William W. Witt, PhD, a researcher in the department of Plant and Soil Science at the University of Kentucky.

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