Catchweed Bedstraw Emerging Nuisance Weed

Courtesy PR Extension Office

A nuisance weed, Catchweed Bedstraw, is just starting to grow this spring, according to Extension Agent Mary Rumph.

“Reports are that the catchweed is about 4” tall,” said Rumph. “It is often unnoticed until it becomes tall enough to trip you! It loves to climb up corral, garden and lawn fences, between buildings, anywhere that the mower doesn’t get to.”

The weed has small blue to violet flowers. The leaves and stems are covered with bristly hairs that cling to clothing and animals. The stems are weak so plants tend to bend over. The seed pods have a distinctive “clam shape” but are toothed. The plants can grow to 1 – 4 foot long. It is an annual, reproducing from seeds and is commonly found along roadsides, waste areas, barnyards and cultivated fields. It does not compete well with grass and tends to mature and “dry up” relatively early in the growing season.

Depending on where the weed is located, 2,4-D, Banvel, Aim and Asert are all herbicides listed as control options.

“I used Milestone on it,” said Rumph, “because I was spraying burdock and am pleased to see the Milestone was effective.”

 

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