I. Identification of Weeds in Lawns
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Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4 Volume 4 Number 7 July, 1963 Article 9 1-1-1963 Weeds in lawns. 1. Identification of weeds in lawns Robert Dunlop Royce Follow this and additional works at: https://researchlibrary.agric.wa.gov.au/journal_agriculture4 Part of the Other Plant Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, and the Weed Science Commons Recommended Citation Royce, Robert Dunlop (1963) "Weeds in lawns. 1. Identification of weeds in lawns," Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4: Vol. 4 : No. 7 , Article 9. Available at: https://researchlibrary.agric.wa.gov.au/journal_agriculture4/vol4/iss7/9 This article is brought to you for free and open access by Research Library. It has been accepted for inclusion in Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4 by an authorized administrator of Research Library. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]. WEEDS IN LAWNS I. Identification of Weeds in Lawns By R. D. ROYCE, Officer-in-Charge, Botany Branch CCURATE identification of weeds is the first principal of weed control with A modern chemicals. This is as true for weeds in lawns as any other weeds. A spray which destroys one species may USING THE KEY have no effect on another plant growing The key has been prepared on the dicho- alongside, while a different spray may have tomous system, that is, there are always exactly the opposite effect. The identity two opposing characters from which to of the weed, therefore, is an important choose. factor in deciding which spray to use. For instance, the first step in using this key to identify a lawn weed, is to decide between the two "A" characters; in other TYPES OF WEEDS words whether the leaves are "narrow, and A number of weeds are common in either flat and grass-like, or oval in cross- lawns in this State and these belong to a section," or whether they are "flat and number of different plant families. These broad and sometimes divided into many weed species can be divided into two lobes, but not grass-like." Each of the groups, the temporary weeds and the sections is divided into two smaller sections permanent weeds. depending on two opposing characters in The temporary species are ones which the same manner. develop in a newly established lawn, and The use of the key will be made easier are principally those which require space by a little practice, while a number of to develop. Veldt grass, geranium and diagrams of the leaves and other struc plantain, are examples of this type. As tures referred to in the key will assist in the young sward thickens up over the first interpreting the terms. two or three years these species gradually During the winter months most metro die out. They are usually of little conse politan lawns show a strong growth of a quence in the fully established lawn and small pale-green weedy grass which can only occasionally do they become trouble become troublesome, particularly in a some. couch lawn. The identification of this On the other hand the permanent weeds plant will illustrate the use of the key. are a constantly recurring trouble in main The plant has slender grass-like leaves, taining a uniform surface on the lawn. In and by a comparison of the two "A" Western Australia there are numerous characters in the key it would clearly go weeds of this type, and in this article 31 under the first "A." There are then two of the commonest and most troublesome "B" characters to choose between, and as of them are described. the leaves are not rounded or oval in cross To assist in their identification, a simple section, but are flat and grass-like, it key based mainly on vegetative characters would be placed in the first "B." has been prepared. A description of each The two "C" paragraphs in this section plant has been added, so that the identi relate to the growth habit of the plant— fication from the key can be effectively it may either be present in the lawn all checked. the year round, or it may be seasonal. The 447 Journal of Agruculture Vol 4 No 7, 1963 plant we are identifying is plainly seasonal, it as WINTER GRASS. This identification since it germinates after the winter com is verified by the other characters "stem- mences, and it would go under the first "C." less and forming small clumps, leaves pale The final choice is then between plants green and hairless." The number 1 refers which grow during the summer, and those to the fact that the first of the attached which grow during the winter. Our plant descriptions is one which gives further is a winter grower, and this fact identifies details of this plant. KEY FOR THE IDENTIFICATION OF WEEDS IN LAWNS A.—Leaves narrow, either flat and grass D.—Plants spreading by means of like, or oval in cross section. (Figs. A elongated above ground stems rooting at the joints, or by under and B.) ground root-like stems sometimes B.—Leaves flat and grass-like. iFig. A.) deep in the ground and not at first sight apparent. C.—Plants short lived, dying at the end of the season, and regenerating E.—Plants low, turf forming, the following year from seed. and growing amongst the lawn grass. D.—Plants growing during the winter months. Stemless and forming small clumps. Leaves pale green and hairless a) WINTER GRASS. D.—Plants growing during the summer, developing many stems which root at the joints. Leaves dark green, hairy (2) CRAB GRASS. C.—Plants growing, and remaining green during both summer and winter. Fig. B D.—Plants forming clumps and not spreading by elongated stems. E.—Leaves narrow, usually rolled, grey-green. Seed-head elongated, narrow, resembling rat's tail. Growth mainly in winter (3) PARRAMATTA GRASS. E.—Leaves flat, broad, bright green. Growth mainly in summer. Seed-head green with several spreading branches '41 PASPALUM. Fig. A Fl«. E Fig. G FIR. H Journal of Agruculture Vol 4 No 7, 1963 '.„> F. — Leaves broad, re E.—Plants with erect growing sembling those of buffalo leaves which rapidly project grass, but less harsh and above the level of the mown of a paler green. lawn. Seed heads large, brown. G.—Plant spreading by means of above- F.—Underground stems ground stems rooting thin, wiry, black and at the joints. No swollen to form small underground stems. "nuts" at intervals deep Leaves widely spaced in soil (Fig. C) on stem (8) NUT GRASS. (5) WATER COUCH. F.—Underground stems G.—Plant spreading by thick, nearer the surface, both deep under and covered with scales. ground stems and No "nuts" (Fig. D) above-ground stems (9) SCALY SEDGE. rooting at the joints. B.—Leaves oval in cross section, erect in Leaves crowded on growth habit and projecting above the the stems level of the lawn. Winter growing species. • 6) KIKUYU. Flowers red or mauve (Fig. B) <10> GUILDFORD GRASS. F.—Leaves narrow, bright green in colour; under ground stems near the A.—Leaves flat, broad, sometimes divided surface, and together into many lobes, but not grass-like with the bases of the (Figs. E-N) upright stems covered with brown scales. Seed B.—Blade of leaf either much divided into heads small, globular, numerous segments, or composed of three green leaflets borne at the apex of the leaf stalk. (7) KYLLINGA WEED. (Figs. E-K). Fig. I Pig. J Pig. L Pig. M Pig. N 449 Journal of Agruculture Vol 4 No 7, 1963 C.—Leaf blade consisting of three leaf E.—Leaf-lobes broader, blunt lets at apex of leaf stalk. (Figs. E-H). at the apex or abruptly con tracted into a short point. D.—Plants present and remaining (Figs. J. and K). green during both summer and winter. F.—Leaf-stalk of fully E.—Plants hairy, apex of leaf mature leaf very short, lets deeply indented so that the central axis of the each leaflet is bilobed (Fig. leaf bearing lateral lobes E) almost to the base. (11) NATIVE WOOD SORREL. Dilated base toothed on edges (Fig. J) E.—Plants completely without (17) CARROT WEED. hairs; leaflets with an obtuse apex, and not indented (Fig. F.—Leaf-stalk of fully F) mature leaf longer than (12) WHITE CLOVER. blade. Edges of dilated D.—Plants growing only in the base of leaf-stalk smooth, winter months. Wing-like ap not toothed (Fig. K) pendages (stipules) present at the (18) ONE-HUNGA WEED. base of the leaf stalk where it joins the stem. (Fig. F-H). D.—Lobes broad, not divided, small near the base of the leaf larger E.—Stipules small, sometimes towards the apex. Terminal lobe with a long tapering apex. largest Plants without hairs. (Figs. (19) CAPE WEED. F-G). F.—Stipules with plain B.—Blade of leaf not deeply divided, but margins, not toothed sometimes toothed or lobed. (Figs. L.N). (Fig. F) (13) ANNUAL CLOVERS. C.—Stemless plant. Leaves lobed, in a rosette closely pressed to the sward; F.—Stipules with long nar flowers yellow, produced on wiry, row teeth along the leafless, sometimes branched stem. margins (Fig. G) Sap milky (Fig. L) (14) BURR MEDIC. (20) FLAT WEED. E.—Stipules large and leaf-like. Plants hairy (Fig. H) C.—Plants normally with leafy stems, (15) ANNUAL BIRDSFOOT TREFOIL. without leaves in a rosette at ground level. Repeated mowing produces C.—Leaf-blade divided into numerous hard enlarged woody-stem butts lobes or segments, the divisions ex which continually produce lateral tending right to the axis of the leaf.