Weeds
The bane of all gardeners’ is the plants that grow where we don’t want them to! These plants are often called weeds and they seem to crop up everywhere – pathways, lawns, garden beds, and even in pot plants.
Weeds are often described as plants that are growing in the wrong place. However, I prefer the description, attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson of a weed, as “a plant who’s virtues have yet to be uncovered”. And this is a fitting description when we consider the health and medicinal benefits that are being discovered! “Weeds” such as Cobblers Pegs and Dandelions and being found to have anti-cancer properties. Yes, they can help prevent cancer! While other weeds make great “ointments” for bites and stings and scratches. Just rub them on the bite!
However, they may still be plants growing where you don’t want them to grow! So, instead of resorting to dangerous pesticides and herbicides, why not get to know your weeds better? See if you can control them without poisoning your little patch of garden or the larger environs of our planet! And you might even find that they provide you with food and health-giving vitamins and minerals!
To help, we’ve made a list of common garden weeds in Australia with brief tips on how to identify them? What are the benefits they may bring, and how can you control them using non-toxic methods.
Just click on the pictures below to find out more about the weeds that are growing in your patch!
Dock
Hello, I am Dock Botanical Name Rumex crispus, Rumex acetosella, Rumex obtusifolius DESCRIBE YOURSELF As you can see from my names, I cover a range of weeds that are variously known as Dock, Sheep Sorrel, broad leaf Dock and Curly Dock. As the name suggests I am...
Singapore Daisy
Hello, I'm Singapore Daisy Botanical Name Sphagneticola trilobata DESCRIBE YOURSELF I am an attractive plant with dark green leaves and bright yellow flowers. I was introduced as a garden plant, but escaped and I'm now a huge environmental weed. And I thrive in all...
Velcro Weed
Hello, I'm Velcro Weed Botanical Name Silver leaf Desmodium DESCRIBE YOURSELF I am known as Velcro weed because my seeds stick to your clothes like velcro and are hard to remove, I am a long-lived creeping weed with mauve flowers. And I regularly produce roots at the...
Creeping Indigo
Hello, I'm Creeping Indigo Botanical Name Indigofera spicata DESCRIBE YOURSELF I am a short-lived perennial plant. My leaves can go a sort of pinky purple during summer, hence my name. I set a lot of seeds when I flower and my seed heads look a bit like an arrowhead....
Cats Ears
Hello, I am Cats Ears Botanical Name Hypochoeris radicata DESCRIBE YOURSELF Most people confuse me with the true Dandelion! I also have a seed head that you can blow, but its not as big as the true dandelion. As the main imitator of the Dandelion, I am also a broad...
Burr Medic or Burr Clover
Hello, I'm Burr Medic Botanical Name Medicago Hispida Syn M. polymorpha DESCRIBE YOURSELF I am an annual plant of the legume family. This means I am great at fixing nitrogen in your soil. And I have a really deep tap root, which makes it hard to dig me out of your...
Bindi weed
Hello, I'm Bindii weed Botanical Name Bindii weed's botanical name is Soliva sessilis DESCRIBE YOURSELF I originally come from South America so I am an exotic pest! I am bright lime green in colour and I produce prickles or burrs each spring. These prickles contain...
Blackberry Nightshade
Hello, I am Blackberry Nightshade Botanical Name Solanum nigrum DESCRIBE YOURSELF I am tall with dark green leaves. As a nightshade I have small white flowers and black or blue berries, which contain the seeds for next year’s crop of weeds. I have a strong root system...
Nutgrass
Nutgrass is a tall grass-like plant with a deep-rooted nut, which is best dealt with by hand weeding.
Dandelion
Hello, I am Dandelion Botanical Name Taraxacum Officinale DESCRIBE YOURSELF Everyone knows me from childhood when they blew my dandelion seed heads to make a wish! Although as a gardener you wish I wasn't in your garden! I am the original broad leaf flatweed, although...
Billygoat weed
Hello, I'm Billygoat weed Botanical Name Ageratum conyzoides DESCRIBE YOURSELF I am an annual or short-lived perennial originally from tropical South America. My common name, Billygoat weed, was given to me as my leaves smell like a male goat when they are crushed....
Purslane
Hello, I'm Purslane Botanical Name Portulaca oleracea DESCRIBE YOURSELF I am actually a herb, with fleshy light green to golden leaves and stems. And I have lots of health-giving benefits if you'll just try me! I am considered a weed because I grow easily in between...