Weeds Pests Diseases

Wireweed

Wireweed is a low growing, creeping weed with a purple colour, it’s stems are very tough and wire like, hence it’s name. It can grow up to 1 metre in width with dark green to bluish coloured leaves and small white flowers in clusters of 5 to 6. The root is a long tap root which gets larger and deeper as the plant matures.

Wireweed is a problem for homeowners in many regions of Australia, the weed can seed all year round, and while it’s an Annual, it can sometimes over-winter and re-emerge in the following Spring. Lawn mowing has no effect in the control of this path and lawn weed as it grows and seeds below mowing height.

Petty Spurge

Petty Spurge is a common weed in Australian lawns, gardens and open spaces, and while it can be of nuisance value, it really has very little impact in terms of environmental or health impact. It is a rather weak structured weed which is easily controlled.

Petty Spurge is rarely found in healthy lawns as it is the weaker species and cannot establish itself through the thatch layer of a lawn. The weed will generally be found in garden beds and pathways of the home.

Paspalum

Paspalum Seed Heads

Paspalum is a major weed problem around the world. With over 300 varieties, including one which is used as a lawn (saltene), the main Paspalum as a problem weed for home gardeners, lawn owners and the environment is a variety known by it’s botanical name of Paspalum rotundas.

Paspalum can grow up to 1.5 metres tall if left to grow undisturbed. However, when it establishes itself in a home lawn, it has the ability to adapt and grow laterally along the ground instead of vertically. By doing this, Paspalum can survive the regular lawn mowing process involved with lawn maintenance and continue to overtake a home lawn. Stems produce 3 - 7 seed producing spikelets in Summer, which range in height depending on if it is in a lawn or growing undisturbed.