4-H Crops and Weeds Contest

When 4-H’ers become members of a team, they learn how http://www.thundersnow.com/weedid.htm to work with one another and to respect the differences of 5. Weed Seeds of the Great Plains: A Handbook for Identifi- each individual. In addition, as they learn to identify plant and cation, University Press of Kansas, 2502 Westbrooke seed samples, they gain an appreciation for the importance of Circle, Lawrence, KS 66045, http://www.kansaspress. attention to detail and improve their decision-making skills. ku.edu/printbytitle.html Objectives General Rules Local 4-H Crops and Weeds Contests help 4-H members 1. No communication is permitted among contestants develop their skills in plant and seed identification. This activ- or anyone else, except officials, during the contest. ity can be a vital part of the 4-H Crops Project. No cell phone use is allowed during the competition. The State 4-H Crops and Weeds Contest is held annually Contestants will be paced to move from one station to during the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson. It consists of iden- the next by a contest official every 30 seconds. Only one contestant will be allowed at each station at a time. tification of both plants and seeds of common crops and weeds. Failure to follow directions and rules will be grounds Resources for disqualification. 2. Contestants may bring a small hand lens (with or with- Plant and seed samples of most field crops and weeds are out battery powered light) to use in both plant and seed available at a nominal cost from the Department of Agrono- identification. my, Throckmorton Hall, Kansas State University Manhattan, 3. A team will consist of four members from one county KS 66506, 785-532-6101. Agents and leaders who are assist- who are currently enrolled members of 4-H, with the ing 4-H members prepare for the contest may be able to use top three scores used for the team score. An individual samples from high school agricultural education programs. may compete for individual awards if fewer than three Area agronomists also may provide more information and persons are available to form a team from a county. assistance in training a team. This publication includes a list 4. A county may have a maximum of two competing of identification tips for the plant and seed specimens required teams, one in the junior division (age 13 and younger) for the contest. and one in senior division (age 14 and older). Excellent resources for teaching identification of weeds 5. Legible writing is important, and judges will consider are available on the internet and in publications. Some sug- this factor when scoring papers. gested web sites are: 6. Special awards are presented to the top three 1. USDA Plants Database, http://plants.usda.gov/java individuals and members of the top three teams. 2. Bugwood Image Database System (Weed Images, Inva- sive.org, Forestry Images), http://images.bugwood.org Special Rules 3. Weed ID Guide, University of Missouri, Part 1. Plant Identification http://weedid.missouri.edu 4. Weed Identification, Kansas State University, 1. This part of the contest consists of 50 pressed plant http://www.agronomy.ksu.edu/extension/doc2115.ashx samples mounted on cardstock. Participants earn 1 point for correct identification of each specimen, for a Some suggested publications are: total of 50 points. 1. Weeds of the Great Plains, Nebraska Department of Agri- 2. An answer form with multiple choice answers will be culture, http://www.nda.nebraska.gov/forms/nw11.pdf provided, and answers will be recorded by correct letter. 2. Weeds of the North Central States, University of Illinois 3. In the case of a tie, three tie-breaker plant specimens Bulletin 772, http://www.aces.uiuc.edu/vista/html_pubs/ will be identified without the aid of multiple choice. WEEDS/list.html 4. The time limit for each sample is 30 seconds. 3. Weeds of the Midwestern United States and Central Can- ada, University of Georgia Press, http://www.ugapress. 5. Samples will be taken from the provided list of crops org/index.php/books/weeds_of_midwest and weeds requiring plant identification. 4. Interactive Encyclopedia of North American Weeds DVD, Part 2. Seed Identification 1. This part of the contest consists of 50 seed samples. Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service Participants earn 1 point for correct identification of Noxious Weeds (NW) each seed sample, for a total of 50 points. 1. bull thistle (plant only) 2. An answer form with multiple choice answers will be 2. bur ragweed (plant only) provided, and answers will be recorded by correct letter. 3. Canada thistle 3. In the case of a tie, three tie-breaker seed samples will be identified without the aid of multiple choice. 4. field bindweed 4. The time limit for each sample is 30 seconds. 5. hoary cress 5. Samples will be taken from the provided list of crops 6. johnsongrass and weeds requiring seed identification. 7. leafy spurge (plant only) 8. musk thistle (plant only) Specimens for Identification 9. quackgrass The following are specimens to be used in either the plant 10. Russian knapweed (plant only) or seed portion of the contest, unless specifically listed as plant 11. sericea lespedeza (plant only) or seed only. Common Weeds (CW) Field Crops (FC) 12. barnyardgrass 1. alfalfa 13. buffalobur (plant only) 2. barley 14. cheat 3. bermudagrass (plant only) 15. common cocklebur 4. big bluestem (plant only) 16. common dandelion (plant only) 5. buffalograss (plant only) 17. common lambsquarters 6. canola 18. common milkweed (plant only) 7. cotton 19. common ragweed 8. durum wheat (seed only) 20. common waterhemp (plant only) 9. eastern gamagrass 21. curly dock 10. grain sorghum 22. devilsclaw (plant only) 11. hard red winter wheat (seed only) 23. dodder 12. hard white wheat (seed only) 24. downy brome 13. Indiangrass (plant only) 25. eastern black nightshade 14. Korean lespedeza 26. fall panicum (plant only) 15. little bluestem (plant only) 27. field pennycress 16. oat 28. giant ragweed 17. pearl millet 29. green foxtail 18. pinto fieldbean (seed only) 30. hedge bindweed (plant only) 19. popcorn (seed only) 31. hemp (marijuana) (plant only) 20. proso millet 32. hemp dogbane (plant only) 21. red clover 33. henbit (plant only) 22. rye 34. honeyvine milkweed (plant only) 23. smooth bromegrass 35. horsenettle (plant only) 24. soft red winter wheat (seed only) 36. jimsonweed 25. soybean 37. jointed goatgrass 26. sudangrass (seed only) 38. kochia 27. sugarbeet (seed only) 39. large crabgrass 28. sumac sorgo 40. longspine sandbur (plant only) 29. sunflower (seed only) 41. morningglory 30. sweetclover 42. Palmer amaranth (plant only) 31. switchgrass (plant only) 43. Pennsylvania smartweed 32. tall fescue 44. prickly lettuce (plant only) 33. triticale 45. prickly sida 34. white dent corn (seed only) 46. prostrate knotweed (plant only) 35. yellow dent corn (seed only) 47. prostrate spurge (plant only) 48. puncturevine

2 49. redroot pigweed 56. Venice mallow 50. Russian thistle 57. western salsify (plant only) 51. shattercane 58. wild buckwheat 52. smooth groundcherry (plant only) 59. wild onion (plant only) 53. tansy mustard (plant only) 60. wild sunflower 54. treacle mustard (plant only) 61. yellow foxtail 55. velvetleaf 62. yellow nutsedge (plant only)

SAMPLE ANSWER FORMS OFFICIAL FORM - 4-H Plant Identification Contestant Name or Number ______Score______

Write the correct choice on the corresponding line. __ 1. (A) wild sunflower (B) common cocklebur (C) velvetleaf (D) Venice mallow __ 2. (A) little bluestem (B) big bluestem (C) Indiangrass (D) switchgrass . . . __ 49. (A) green foxtail (B) yellow foxtail (C) large crabgrass (D) barnyardgrass __ 50. (A) alfalfa (B) red clover (C) sweetclover (D) Korean lespedeza

Tie-Breaker 1. ______

Tie-Breaker 2. ______

Tie-Breaker 3. ______

OFFICIAL FORM - 4-H Seed Identification Contestant Name or Number______Score______

Write the correct choice on the corresponding line.

__ 1. (A) pinto fieldbean (B) soybean (C) proso millet (D) popcorn __ 2. (A) smooth bromegrass (B) tall fescue (C) yellow foxtail (D) barnyardgrass . . . __ 49. (A) green foxtail (B) yellow foxtail (C) large crabgrass (D) barnyardgrass __ 50. (A) barley (B) rye (C) triticale (D) oat

Tie-Breaker 1. ______

Tie-Breaker 2. ______

Tie-Breaker 3. ______

3 4-H Crops and Weeds Contest Identification List — Hints for Identification Field Crops (FC) __Large palmately lobed leaves 1. alfalfa Seed Plant __Black/to brown teardrop shaped __Trifoliolate, pinnately compound leaves (all three leaf- __Some fiber stays attached (fuzzy) unless delinted with lets do not attach at same point like clovers) acid __Serrations on top third of leaflets 8. durum wheat (seed only) __Yellow, white, or purple, raceme inflorescence __Amber color with glassy appearance __Curled pods are black when ripe __Pointed germ and no brush; humped back and indented Seed on “belly” side __Greenish-yellow to brown color 9. eastern gamagrass __Most seeds kidney-shaped, but many irregular and vari- Plant able with some more mitt shaped __Thick-stemmed grass with rigid leaf blades finely 2. barley serrated on the edges Plant __Inflorescence is a cluster of one to three spikes like big __Seeds neatly aligned in six rows on the spike bluestem __Stiff, straight awns __Each spike has male flowers on top and females below; Seed males look like a corn tassel __Hulls with creases and ridges, ragged at the tip Seed __Pointed at the tips and fat in the middle __Thick, cylindrical jointed spike sections break apart at maturity 3. bermudagrass (plant only) __Shorter and fatter than jointed goatgrass __Perennial with creeping stolons 10. grain sorghum __Digitate inflorescence with four to six spikes __Spikelets on one side of rachis and densely packed Plant __Compact panicle on long, fat peduncle 4. big bluestem (plant only) __Broad grass leaves with no hairs __Tall, upright stems Seed __Purplish color on stems and leaves __Very rounded; threshed free of glumes __Usually three racemes emerge from one spot on each __May be any color (red, orange, white, yellow, pink) stalk; like a “turkey foot” 11. hard red winter wheat (seed only) 5. buffalograss (plant only) __Oval shape, dark brown color (may have some yellow __Wiry, prostrate stolons spread from the crown berry if not of top quality); __Narrow, curly, pubescent leaves __Rounded cheeks and shallow, tight crease __Males have one-sided spike-like racemes on taller stalks 12. hard white wheat (seed only) __Female flowers in the axils of leaves on very short stalks near base of crown __Oval shape, creamy white color __Rounded cheeks and shallow, tight crease 6. canola __May have some more chalky kernels if not of top quality Plant __Smooth, large-lobed leaves with bluish cast 13. Indiangrass (plant only) __Clasping petioles on leaves surrounding stem __Tall uprights stems similar to big bluestem __Bright yellow flowers in racemes __Clawlike ligule on leaf Seed __Long, dense, golden brown panicle inflorescence with numerous, hairy awns __Small, round seed reddish-brown to black color __Most seeds have a longitudinal depression creating 14. Korean lespedeza “cheeks” on one side Plant 7. cotton __Glabrous, palmately trifoliolate leaves Plant __Broad, heart-shaped leaflets __Huge solitary flowers; produces boll that opens to __Large, papery stipules with no chlorophyll (tan or expose fibers at maturity; brown) __Distinct leaflet venation (fish bone appearance) 4 Seed __Rounded head generally with no peduncle, thus sits __Flat, oval shape; shiny black in color directly on top of leaf and stipule __Often covered with a thick, veined, brown/gray pod; one Seed seed per pod __Yellow to purple color, usually bicolored with dark base 15. little bluestem (plant only) fading to light at top __Slightly curved, slender inflorescences branch from __Mitt-shaped; thumb a fourth as long as mitt upper stem nodes __Slightly angled crease between the thumb and mitt __One raceme per peduncle 22. rye __Hairs on pedicel attaching sterile spikelets more promi- Plant nent and fuzzy than on big bluestem __Neatly organized spike with narrow, pointed glumes 16. oat __Sawtooth edge on lemmas Plant Seed __Open, branched panicle (tree-like) inflorescence __Light to dark brown to grayish color __Spikelets covered with large, papery, distinctly veined __Pointed germ end and no brush compared to wheat glumes 23. smooth bromegrass Seed Plant __Seed covered with straw colored hulls __Open, erect panicle inflorescence __Smoother than barley; more uniform in width from top __Large, papery glumes overlapping like shingles to base compared to barley __Several florets per spikelet with no awns 17. pearl millet Seed Plant __Brown to straw colored __Long, dense spike; looks like a possum tail or cattail __Large and flat with distinct veins on the lemma plant when mature __Ragged, blunt tip __Dense with off-white to gray seeds when mature __Immature spike has a feathery appearance 24. soft red winter wheat (seed only) __Uniform yellow-brown in color (yellowberry) Seed __Dull, gray color __Rounded cheeks with deep, open crease __Teardrop shaped; may be slightly shriveled 25. soybean __More pointed germ end than white grain sorghum Plant seeds or other millets __Trifoliolate leaves covered with hairs 18. pinto fieldbean (seed only) __Very small flowers; short very fuzzy pod with three __Tan color, marbled with brown speckles seeds __Medium to large, oblong kidney shape __Leaves and stems very hairy; no stipules Seed 19. popcorn (seed only) __Yellow ball with shallow, patch-like hilum __Very hard texture __Rounded or pointed on top, with no dent 26. sudangrass (seed only) __Covered with hard, shiny glumes; may be various colors 20. proso millet __Pedicels do not have knobs like johnsongrass Plant __Thinner than shattercane, thicker than johnsongrass __Large open panicle __Three papery glumes with distinct veins 27. sugarbeet (seed only) __Dark tan to brown with very irregular shape Seed __Glossy, shiny lemmas cover the seed __Seeds enclosed in rough, hard, cork-like capsule __White, yellow, orange, red, green, or gray __May be multi-germ or mono-germ (mono-germ a third as large) __Larger than foxtail millet; elliptical shape 28. sumac sorgo 21. red clover Plant Plant __Sorghum relative __Pubescent (hairy) stems and petioles __Compact, dense panicle with maroon color __Pubescent, palmately trifoliolate leaves Seed __White variegation on leaflets __Round seed threshes free like grain sorghum, but only __Large stipule with prominent, purple veins half the size __Dark maroon color 5 29. sunflower (seed only) Noxious Weeds (NW) __Seed (the part you eat) enclosed in a hard outer hull (the part you don’t eat) 1. bull thistle (plant only) __Black hull (oilseed types) or white and gray striped hull __Biennial (confectionary types) __Lobed leaves with pointed tip, toothed margins tipped with very sharp spines 30. sweetclover __Hairy leaves compared to musk thistle; green, topside Plant and gray-green hairy (villous) underside __Trifoliolate, pinnately compound leaves (leaflets do not __Solitary (single) head, much larger than Canada thistle all attach at same point like other clovers) with pinkish-purple flowers __Serrations all the way around the oval leaflets (vs. alfalfa, __Spines generally longer and sharper than on Canada which are only on the outer half ) thistle __Very long, yellow or white raceme inflorescence 2. bur ragweed (plant only) __Brown to black, one-seeded pods __Perennial that regrows from lateral roots Seed __Deeply lobed, fern-like leaves __Yellow to brown color; each seed single color vs. red clover __Similar to common ragweed but distinctly gray to silver on both sides __Mitt shape, thumb not as rounded as red clover __Crease in seed parallel to thumb 3. Canada thistle __Seed smells sweet Plant __Perennial that regrows from lateral roots 31. switchgrass (plant only) __Irregularly lobed, dark green, crimpled leaves with white __Large, open panicle (tree-like) inflorescence undersides; slightly hairy on surface __One floret per spikelet __Spines on the leaf margin, mid-rib and the stem; spines __Glumes slightly separated at the tip of the spikelet, not as long as on bull thistle giving a V-like appearance __Corymb-like clusters of small flower heads with pink to 32. tall fescue purple petals (rarely white) Plant Seed __Bunch grass with open, nodding panicle __Light to dark brown color __Upper surface of leaf blades are heavily ribbed __Oblong, curved, and smooth __Small glumes; not awned __Smaller than bull or musk thistle __Several florets per spikelet 4. field bindweed Seed Plant __Dark straw color __Perennial that regrows from deep, lateral roots __¼ inch long and enclosed in the lemma and palea __Vine-like growth habit __Slender, round, knobbed rachilla (golf tee appearance) __Spade-shaped leaves that are parallel on sides 33. triticale __Trumpet-shaped white to pink flowers; flowers smaller Plant than hedge bindweed __Cross between wheat and rye __Bracts on the flower stalk about halfway down to the __Head similar to wheat but more symmetrical; awns not stem twisted like in wheat Seed __Broad glumes cover lemma versus thin-pointed glumes __Dull, grayish-brown color with rough surface on rye __Three angled with rounded corners (tall morningglory Seed and wild buckwheat have more angular corners) __Color similar to winter wheat 5. hoary cress __More pointed germ than wheat with more distinct Plant brush __Perennial with rhizomes __May be slightly wrinkled compared to wheat __Erect stems with very fine hairs best seen near the base 34. white dent corn (seed only) __Bottom leaves are spatulate; top leaves are broad with __White seed with distinct dent on top clasping bases 35. yellow dent corn (seed only) __White flowers in flat-topped clusters __Yellow seed with distinct dent on top __Seed pods rounded with projecting stigma

6 Seed __Stems straight and long; generally unbranched until __Reddish-brown color near top __Slightly flattened and egg-shaped __Small, bluish white flowers in the axils of each leaf __Small crease upward from the small end Common Weeds (CW) 6. johnsongrass 12. barnyardgrass Plant __Perennial with rhizomes Plant __Annual grass __Large, purplish, hairy, open panicle __Smooth, broad leaves __Thinner stem and panicle branches than sudangrass __No ligule Seed __Dense, somewhat hairy panicle inflorescence __Reddish-brown to black in color (although some tan, immature seeds may be present) Seed __Two-knobbed pedicels equal in length __Yellowish-gray color __Smaller and thinner than sudangrass __Hulless seed is glossy on convex side (compared to washboard of yellow foxtail) 7. leafy spurge (plant only) __Flat on one side, convex on the other __Perennial with rhizomes __Short awn with spiny hairs on sterile lemma and palea __Slender, oblong leaves with a distinct midrib 13. buffalobur (plant only) __Lower leaves in whorls __Annual broadleaf __Broad leaves at the base of the flower __Prickly stem with spines __Yellow flowers in an umbel __Deeply lobed leaves, often with spines 8. musk thistle (plant only) __Yellow flower __Biennial, grows as a rosette first year, flowers second year __Spines on seed pod __Spiny leaves without hairs 14. cheat __Spines not as long and sharp as bull thistle __Dark green with white halo around the outer edge Plant __Annual grass Seed __Heavy drooping panicle with five to 15 florets per __Larger than Canada thistle spikelet __More distinct lines than bull thistle Seed 9. quackgrass __Deep groove on palea side, lemma rolled giving canoe Plant appearance __Perennial with rhizomes __Coarse teeth on margin of palea __Alternate spikelets with broad sides lay flat against the __Awned, but shorter than on downy brome rachis, but pushed to the side __Rachilla curved with a bulged top __Spikelets attach flat to the rachis 15. common cocklebur __Clasping auricles Plant Seed __Annual broadleaf __sucker mouth on rachilla __Rough stem with black spots __Teeth on edges of the palea __Rough, sandpapery leaves with a long petiole __Slight gap between edge of the palea and lemma __Toothed leaf margins 10. Russian knapweed (plant only) __Small flowers in compact composite head in upper leaf __Perennial with rhizomes axils __Very branched stems __Flower bud first appears without spines __Leaves broadly lanceolate with whitish underside Seed __Pink to purple flowers __Found in spiny bur __Small cup shaped head with scaly bracts __Burs oblong with hooked spines radiating perpendicu- 11. sericea lespedeza (plant only) larly along its entire length __Perennial that regrows from a crown __Two unevenly sized seeds per bur __Stiff, woody stem with densely packed trifoliolate leaves 16. common dandelion (plant only) with grayish color __Perennial __Leaflets narrower at the base than the tip __Leaves in a basal rosette

7 __Deeply lobed leaves with smaller teeth on margins; 22. devilsclaw (plant only) lobes point back toward base __Annual broadleaf __Yellow ray flowers in a head borne on a long, leafless stalk __Very hairy, thick, large opposite leaves 17. common lambsquarters __Large 5- to 6-inch-long seed pods borne in pairs Plant __Pods fat at the base and narrowing to a distinct hook __Annual broadleaf with a sharp point at the end __Upright, grooved stems, often striped 23. dodder __Leaves grayish-white on underside; Christmas tree Plant shape __Annual parasite, anchors itself onto stems of other plants __Green or purple flowers on narrow panicles __Vine-like growth habit Seed __No leaves or chlorophyll __Often contained in a papery, gray hull __White flowers borne in knobby clusters __Hulled seed is dull or shiny black, lens-shaped, with a Seed slight notch on one side __Yellow to brown color __Not quite as uniformly ovate or as shiny as redroot __Rough coat and dull appearance pigweed __Generally rounded, but irregular in size and shape 18. common milkweed (plant only) 24. downy brome __Perennial that regrows from lateral roots Plant __Large, smooth, oval shaped, opposite leaves __Annual grass __Thick stems contain milky juice __Pubescent stems __3- to 4-inch fat seed pods with projections on surface __Soft, drooping panicle __Large pear-shaped, pointed, dry follicle fruit opens on one side to expose seeds with large fluffy pappus Seed __Red, brown, or straw color 19. common ragweed __Long, slender, and flattened; more pointed tip than Plant smooth bromegrass or cheat __Annual broadleaf __Long awns and pubescent lemma __Upright, branched stem 25. eastern black nightshade __Deeply lobed, finely divided leaves Plant __Yellow male flowers in terminal raceme of small droop- __Annual broadleaf ing heads at top of the plant __Erect, widely branched stems __Female flowers in the leaf axis __Shiny, smooth green leaves; often purple on underside Seed __Tiny, “tinker-bell,” white flowers __Gray, “woody” color __Flower branches attached at leafless node __Crown shape, but less pronounced than giant ragweed __Round, black, toxic berries at maturity __Smaller than giant ragweed Seed 20. common waterhemp (plant only) __Yellow to dark brown color __Annual broadleaf, type of pigweed __Small, flat seed with dull surface __Smooth stems and leaves __Shape of a pepper seed but very much smaller __Leaves narrower than redroot pigweed or Palmer amaranth 26. fall panicum (plant only) __Annual grass 21. curly dock __Large, branched, open panicle with single seeded spike- Plant lets __Perennial broadleaf, regrows from crown on large taproot __Spikelets smaller than switchgrass __Leaves in a rosette; broad, lance-shaped, crinkled edges 27. field pennycress __Prominent white sheath (ocrea) surrounds stem at the nodes Plant __Spear-like leaves in the inflorescence __Annual or winter annual broadleaf __Papery seedhead with winged pods in dense clusters; __Oblong, somewhat notched leaves with no hairs turns dark brown at maturity __White flowers in long racemes Seed __Papery, winged pods with a notch in the top __Shiny, reddish-brown color when hulled __Leaves and stems “smooth like a penny” (versus peach- __Triangular shape with sharp corners fuzz hairs on hoary cress) 8 Seed __Upper stems often highly branched __Dark, flat, reddish-brown color __Thin, round seed pods borne in pairs; 2 to 3 inches long __Teardrop-shaped 33. henbit (plant only) __Has eccentric spiny ridges that resemble a “thumbprint” __Annual broadleaf 28. giant ragweed __Slender, smooth, square stems Plant __Opposite, hairy leaves with rounded teeth __Annual broadleaf __Leaves generally sessile, except at base of stem where __Upright, pubescent stem they may be petioled __Leaves usually three-lobed, except near the top of the __Pinkish to purple flowers in whorls in the axis of upper plant where they may not be lobed leaves __Leaves are opposite and serrated 34. honeyvine milkweed (plant only) __Yellow male flowers in terminal raceme of drooping __Perennial that regrows from deep rootstocks heads at the top of the plant __Vining stem with opposite, heart shaped leaves with __Female flowers in the leaf axils below the males distinct white veins Seed __Flower clusters borne at the nodes __Gray, “woody” color __3- to 4-inch, fat, follicle seed pods open on one side to __Large, crown shape expose seeds with large fluffy pappus __High central protrusion in the crown __Pods smoother than common milkweed 29. green foxtail 35. horsenettle (plant only) Plant __Perennial that regrows from lateral roots __Annual grass __Stem covered with yellow spines __Leaves without hairs on upper blade surface __Large, wavy lobed leaf with spines on underside along __Dense, cylindrical panicle with one to three bristles per midrib spikelet __Lavender flowers with large yellow stamens __Seeds smaller and arranged randomly within head com- __Yellow/orange berries look like small tomatoes pared to yellow foxtail 36. jimsonweed Seed Plant __Yellowish brown to olive green color __Annual broadleaf __Dull appearance __Sturdy, erect stems __Glume on convex side covers most of the seed __Large, flat, lobed, glabrous leaves __Narrower and smaller than yellow foxtail __Large, trumpet-shaped flower 30. hedge bindweed (plant only) __Huge, pointed calyx tube covers flower bud until petals __Perennial from deep lateral roots show __Vine-like growth habit __Spiny seed pods look like giant cocklebur __Five-pointed arrowhead leaves with squared bottom Seed lobes __Brown to dull black color with pitted surface __Large, white, trumpet-shaped flower __Gentle, smooth edges on top of wrinkles versus __Larger flowers than field bindweed buffalobur __No bracts on flower stalk like field bindweed __Distinct hilum scar __Two large sepal-like bracts cover base of flower (cover 37. jointed goatgrass the bud before petals show) Plant 31. hemp (marijuana) (plant only) __Winter annual grass __Annual broadleaf __Jointed and cylindrical head, with long awns on __Distinct palmately compound leaves with seven to nine terminal spikelet at the tip serrated leaflets __One spikelet per node __Leaflets dark green on top and gray on bottom Seed __Separate male and female flowers __Threshes as a complete spikelet 32. hemp dogbane (plant only) __Cylindrical with one short awn (except terminal __Perennial that regrows from rootstocks spikelet) __Smooth, oval shaped leaves attached opposite on stiff, __Top seed has several long awns thin branches

9 38. kochia __Erect red stems with swollen nodes and papery ocrea Plant __Simple, long, lanceolate leaves __Annual broadleaf __Pink flowers in a short, dense spike __Erect and freely branching stems Seed __Simple, narrow leaves; longer at base of stems, __Reddish-brown to glossy black color but decrease to ½ inch or less at top __Round and flat, except for pointed tip on basal end __Flowers greenish, changing to red when ripe __May still be covered by a pink or brown papery petals __Seed pods usually in pairs in the leaf axil 44. prickly lettuce (plant only) Seed __Annual broadleaf __May be covered by papery, star-shaped calyx __Elongated, lobed leaves with short spines all along the __Seed in the hull is flat and star shaped bottom of the midrib __Seed without hull is dull black, teardrop shaped, and __Small yellow flowers on thin branched inflorescence concave on both sides __Stems with milky juice 39. large crabgrass 45. prickly sida Plant Plant __Annual grass __Annual broadleaf __Hairy sheath and stem, stems often grow prostrate __Stems erect, branching widely __Three or more racemes per stem __Two to three spiny projections below each node __Single seeded spikelets lay flat against rachis, alternating __Alternate, oblong leaves with toothed edges along one side __Flowers with five pale yellow petals in leaf axils __Mid vein of rachis weaves back and forth Seed Seed __Pods have two sharp spines at the top __Flat on one side, rounded to oval on the other __1⁄16-inch-long, three angled, egg shaped __Striped and may be hairy __Dull, dark reddish brown to gray __Three veins on the flat side of the seed __Narrow, pointed glume often still attached and extend- 46. prostrate knotweed (plant only) ing about half way up the back __Annual broadleaf 40. longspine sandbur (plant only) __Prostrate stems with swollen nodes __Annual grass __Simple, lanceolate leaves with a bluish cast __Bunch grass with short internodes 47. prostrate spurge (plant only) __Short, zigzag spikes with very spiny, round spikelets __Annual broadleaf attached __Creeping stems with small, oval, leaves attached opposite 41. morningglory __Stems with milky juice Plant 48. puncturevine __Annual broadleaf Plant __Vine-like growth habit __Annual broadleaf __Heart-shaped leaf __Weak, prostrate, hairy stems with pinnately compound __Hairy stem and leaves leaves __Purple to blue, trumpet-like flower __Leaflets opposite and elliptical-shaped Seed __Single, yellow flower and seed clusters found in the leaf __Flat black or brown with a dark hilum axil __Wedge-shaped like an orange slice (larger and edges Seed sharper than on field bindweed) __Yellow bur with broad, sharp spines 42. Palmer amaranth (plant only) __Wedge shaped (looks like a goat-head) __Annual broadleaf, type of pigweed 49. redroot pigweed __Smooth, broad leaves on long petioles Plant __Separate male and female plants __Annual broadleaf __Elongated male heads are smooth, females are spiny __Upright, pubescent stem and petioles (common water- hemp and Palmer amaranth are both smooth) 43. Pennsylvania smartweed __Red tinge on the lower stem Plant __Flowers in dense head with bristly bracts __Annual broadleaf 10 Seed 55. velvetleaf __Glossy black and very slick Plant __Ovate and convex on both sides __Annual broadleaf 50. Russian thistle __Tall, erect, velvety stems Plant __Simple, rounded, pointed, velvety leaves __Annual broadleaf __Orange-yellow flowers __Bushy, upright growth with many branches __Seed in hairy, round, beaked capsules with many chambers __Mature plants with slender, stiff leaves ending in spines Seed __Immature plants with longer, needle-like or grass-like __Gray color and rough surface leaves __Notched on one side; catcher’s mitt shape __Flowers and seeds in leaf axis __Larger than Venice mallow Seed 56. Venice mallow __Gray to tan color Plant __Conical seed, shaped like a cup (no protrusion from the __Annual broadleaf top of the cup like common ragweed) (more thickness __Erect, spreading hairy stem versus the flat appearance of kochia in the hull) __Alternate, irregularly shaped and lobed leaves __Spirally grooved, appearing like a cinnamon roll if hulled out __Pale yellow to white flowers often with a purple margin and dark center 51. shattercane __Hairy seed pod capsule surrounded by papery calyx Plant Seed __Annual grass __Grayish black color __Sorghum relative; taller, thinner stem than grain __Rough, kidney-shaped with dimple on one side sorghum __Smaller and more rounded than velvetleaf __Panicle inflorescence that is more compact than john- songrass; shiny seeds shatter easily when ripe 57. western salsify (plant only) Seed __Monocarpic perennial, regrows vegetatively for several __Surrounded by shiny, hard black to brown glumes years, but then dies after seed production __Similar in size to grain sorghum, larger than johnson- __Thick, round, unbranched stems with fleshy grass-like grass leaves __Daisy-like yellow composite flowers about 1 to 2 inches 52. smooth groundcherry (plant only) in diameter __Perennial broadleaf that regrows from rootstocks __Mature head forms large, round pappus ball (looks like __Smooth, elliptical leaves with undulated edges a giant dandelion) __Yellow flowers in small clusters arising between leaf 58. wild buckwheat nodes Plant __Berry fruits surrounded by large, closed calyx (lantern-like) (versus eastern black nightshade with __Annual broadleaf exposed berries) __Vine-like stems __Arrow-shaped leaf with pointed tip and pointed basal 53. tansy mustard (plant only) lobes __Winter annual broadleaf __Multiple flowers and seeds per stalk __Stems simple below and branched above __Papery covering (ocrea) around nodes __Fern-like leaves with many delicate lobes Seed __Yellow flowers in terminal racemes __Glossy black color __Long, slender pods with a knob on the end __Three-sided with sharp corners (compared to field 54. treacle mustard (plant only) bindweed with rounded corners) __Winter annual broadleaf __Brown hull often attached __Highly branched stems gives plant a rounded shape 59. wild onion (plant only) __Only about 1 foot tall __Perennial growing from bulbs __Small yellow flowers in stiff racemes __Hollow slender stems; onion-like __Thin seed pods 1 to 2 inches long __Flowers replaced by bulblets

11 60. wild sunflower 61. yellow foxtail Plant Plant __Annual broadleaf __Annual grass __Simple, rough, serrated leaves __Long hairs at the base of the leaves near collar __Rough stem with scattered short white hairs __Dense panicle with five or more bristles per spikelet; __Flowers are daisy-like with yellow rays and brown disk gives foxtail appearance flowers in center __Seeds larger and arranged in neat rows within the head Seed compared to green foxtail __Gray to brown color with light stripes Seed __Wedge-shaped achene __Straw yellow color __Smaller than cultivated sunflower __Short glume on convex side covers less than half of the seed __Surface of the lemma has irregular, transverse ridges (washboard appearance) __Larger than green foxtail 62. yellow nutsedge (plant only) __Perennial that regrows from tubers __Triangular stem and three-ranked leaves __Leaves similar to grasses __Yellowish-brown, “bushy” flower cluster

Reviewed and revised by Kevin J. Donnelly, Professor of Agronomy Dallas E. Peterson, Extension Weed Science Specialist Gerry L. Posler, Professor of Agronomy, retired Gary Kilgore, Southeast Area Crops and Soils Specialist, retired

Publications are reviewed or revised annually by appropriate faculty to reflect current research and practice. Date shown is that of publication or last revision. Brand names appearing in this publication are for product identification purposes only. No endorsement is intended, nor is criticism implied of similar products not mentioned. Publications from Kansas State University are available at: www.ksre.ksu.edu Contents of this publication may be freely reproduced for educational purposes. All other rights reserved. In each case, credit Kevin J. Donnelly, et al., 4-H Crops and Weeds Contest, Kansas State University, April 2014.

Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service 4H713 rev April 2014 K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension Work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, as amended. Kansas State University, County Extension Councils, Extension Districts, and United States Department of Agriculture Cooperating, John D. Floros, Director.