Page 146 - AG 7-2011 Revised 2016

Photo Courtesy of PBI/Gordon Corp. Chickweed
(Stellaria media)
Photo Courtesy of PBI/Gordon Corp. Common chickweed is a shallow fibrous rooted winter annual
which grows in moist shaded areas. The leaves are small, smooth,
pointed at the tip and elliptic in shape. They are opposite on
branching creeping stems, which root at the nodes. Chickweed
adapts well to different mowing heights.
The flowers of common chickweed are white small star like with 5
notched petals. Common chickweed spreads by seed.
Common chickweed is found throughout the United States except
in the Rocky Mountains.

Immature Stage
Integrated Pest Management Control Recommendations
Cultural Practices:
Common Chickweed thrives in cool, moist areas. Growing conditions can be made less favorable by lightening
the soil or otherwise improving drainage, especially in shady areas. Heavy, constant shade should be lightened as
well where possible. Shady areas should be planted with turfgrass species which do well in the shade and which
will provide maximum competition to weed species which invade shady areas.
Herbicide Use:
Chemical control may be needed to eliminate invading common chickweed, especially in turfgrass areas which
are thin, or in newly seeded areas. Use a selective postemergent herbicide taking care to follow spray intervals
for newly seeded areas. For optimum control, make herbicide applications to common chickweed that is actively
growing and in the seedling to flower stage.

Prickly Lettuce
(Lactuca serriola)
Prickly lettuce, also called wild lettuce or compass plant, is a
winter annual. The leaves form in a basal rosette. Prickly lettuce
has a deep tap root which will exude a milky sap. Prickly lettuce
will produce an upright stem on which the leaves will be alternate.
The mature leaves are deeply lobed. The leaves will twist vertical
to the stem. The leaves have a row of spines along the mid-vein
of the lower surface.
The flowers of prickly lettuce are yellow in color and approximately
one-third of an inch in diameter. Flowers are produced in late
spring to early summer. Prickly lettuce reproduces by seed.
Prickly lettuce is found throughout most of the United States and
Canada except southern Florida, northern Maine and
Immature Stage Newfoundland.
Integrated Pest Management Control Recommendations
Cultural Practices:
Compass plant or prickly lettuce is usually found in disturbed sites. It does best in thin low-maintenance turf. It
produces an erect stem that will be removed by mowing. It prefers soils that are irrigated and higher in nutrients. It
can be a problem in container grown ornamentals and be introduced into landscape beds and turf areas.
Herbicide Use:
For optimum control, apply your postemergent herbicide to prickly lettuce that is actively growing and in the
seedling to flower stage of growth.

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