If you ask any experienced farmer or gardener, they will tell you by far that weeds are one of the main workhorses they have had to deal with on a frequent basis for years. There are many pests that affect plants and crops and terrible damage that can be suffered, keeping those who dedicate themselves to it at night, whether professionally or as a hobby. However, weed problems, although not extremely serious, can cause major problems if not controlled. But there is not just one, but there are many. types of weeds and in this article we are going to present them to you with their names and characteristics.
We already talked about it in another post, explaining what is weed and why they are so harmful to our plants. Mainly, it is its ability to spread, at high speed and in a very high number of herbs, that leaves the plants that we have taken such pains to care for without space, water and resources. In addition, weeds often favor a microclimate that exposes the plant to fungi, pests and various diseases.
Eliminating these invasive weeds is the best remedy and you should do it as soon as possible, because they multiply very quickly. But first you must know them. Below, we show you a list with the names and types of weeds, so that you can identify them and know how to act against them.
Types of weeds and their names
Harmful weeds can be narrow-leaved or broad-leaved. We are going to classify them into these two groups so that you understand the explanation better and it is easier for you to learn the list and see the herbs when they appear invading your land.
Narrow leaf weeds
Invasive narrow-leaved grasses include the following. Take note and be alert in case you see them in your orchard or garden or in your flower pots.
Rat or fox tail
Scientifically called Alopecurus myosuroides This herb usually appears in spring, which is when it flowers, although its germination takes place in autumn-winter. You will find it in soils where there is a certain humidity or in dry crops. You can also suspect its presence when there is disturbed ground. Likewise, we find it on the edges of the roads when we go through the countryside.
If it rains a lot, it can be germinating until spring. The leaves are a very characteristic green to bluish color.
The Sedge
La Sedge or Cyperus esculentus It is the plant that gives rise to tiger nuts. Yes, the classic tiger nut from which the popular drink comes. However, it is a bad weed. It is very invasive and quickly destroys the space intended for the plant or pioneer crop.
It usually blooms from June to November. It can grow up to 50 cm tall. Its stems are spikelet-shaped and produce yellow to greenish flowers. They are common in temperate climates with sandy soil.
Garranchuela
La Digitaria sanguinalis It appears in irrigated fields, germinating in spring and flowering towards summer. It can grow from 15 to 70 cm high. It is also called “chicken foot” due to its peculiar shape. They are very invasive, but a good way to get rid of them is to use them as pasture for livestock.
Horse tail
Also called toothed grass o Echinochloa crus-galli It appears in humid soils, so it is very common in rice fields. They can grow up to 2 meters high, although it is more normal to see them reach 30 cm or one meter. They are shaped like a cluster of dense, branched spikelets with hairs that grow stiffly. Its reddish color is also characteristic.
False millet or switchgrass
Also common in rice and corn crops, since it seeks water and soils rich in nitrates. It is a type of very invasive weed and difficult to combat with herbicides. A great threat to the farmer. It grows erect and looks like millet.
Yellow foxtail or pigeon grass
also called Setaria pumila. It has some yellow hairs that make it recognizable. It blooms between July and October.
Lizard or gardener's love
Other names it receives are herb mijera, panecillo and setaria verticillata. She carries rough stings downward. It blooms from June to October.
The wild panizo
Almorejo or setaria viridis. It blooms from May to October in irrigated land.
Broadleaf weeds and their names
Among the latests Moravia's compositions broadleaf weeds, the most common types and names are the following.
Amaranth
Its name means “flower that does not wither,” so imagine its resistance. It steals nitrogen from plants and is able to withstand even drought. With a robust and highly branched root, it is broad in color with beet-colored streaks. Paradoxically, it is considered a very nutritious food.
Orgaza or salty
Also called “marsh”. It withstands both droughts and frosts. It flowers between September and October, having leaves throughout the year. He atriplex halimus It is a grayish-looking shrub.
shepherd's bag
Call "Capsella bursa pastoris”, blooms from November to September. It is characterized by its rosettes of greyish-green basal leaves covered in hairs.
white pigweed
The "Chenopodium album It appears both in dry land and in irrigated land. It germinates in spring and blooms towards summer. It has a reddish stem and gray or ash leaves.
milk plant
This is also known weed with the name of cathedral cactus or "euphorbia”. There are more than two thousand species, but they stand out because they secrete an irritating substance and their branches form a wide cup in dark green colors with fleshy edges and many thorns.
flue
Also called by the names of “bunnies"And"little shoes” for its original shape and its white and pink flowers with purple spike-shaped spots.
The wart
"Heliotropium europaeus", heliotrope or verrucaria. Its gray color and white flower attract attention. We find it from June to October in temperate areas of the Mediterranean.
The Mercurial
It appears in irrigated land from February to October, with germination occurring during spring. It usually grows from 10 to 50 cm. Its leaves are lanceolate, toothed and opposite in shape with ciliate margins.
Others types broadleaf weeds You will be surprised to know that they are because of their beauty and popularity as wildflowers are the poppy, do not forget me, nettle, purslane or devil's tomatillo. He too blur and bird's tongue. Weeds need to be removed because they can destroy your plantations, even if those plants seem beautiful to you.