Category Archives: Weeds

Weed of the Week: Wild Buckwheat

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Common Name: Wild Buckwheat

Latin Name: Polygonum convolvulus

Wild buckwheat is an annual weed that can be found in crop fields, hay fields and waste areas. At the seedling stage, this weed is easily identified by its cotyledons which are linear and positions 120 degrees from each other. Its true leaves are arrow-shaped with pointy tips. Wild buckwheat has a tap root and a twining growth habit. The vines become entangled with the crop causing lodging and making harvest difficult.

When mature, small flowers are produced, although wild buckwheat flowers lack petals, there are five whitish-green sepals that tightly enclose a single seed. Each seed is dull, dark brown to black and triangular in cross section.

From Amanda Homans, Agronomist with McRae Holdings.

Weed of the Week: Wild Oats

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Common Name: Wild Oats

Latin Name: Grass Poaceae

Wild Oats are an annual weed that can be found in crop land, hay fields and irrigation. Unlike grasses, wild oats have a counter clockwise twist to the leaves. Other easily distinguishable features include a tall, membranous lingual, and an easy to recognize seed when uprooted.

When mature, the inflorescence (flowering part of the plant) is very large and often seen waving above the crop canopy. The seeds vary color from beige to black, and they are usually hairy, especially around the base. All wild oat seeds have a large ‘sucker mouth’ and bent awn.

From Amanda Homans, Agronomist with McRae Holdings.