Soliva Sessilis - North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

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Soliva sessilis is often confused with: Scleranthus annuus Plants that fill a similar niche: Cerastium holosteoides Persicaria perfoliata Youngia japonica Tweet this Page Share on Facebook Soliva sessilis

Common Name(s):

• Bindi Weed
• Field Burweed
• Lawn Burweed
• Spurweed

Phonetic Spelling SOL-ih-vuh SES-sil-iss Description

Lawn burweed, is one of nine species of the Burweed genus in the Asteraceae (daisy) family. It is a small, low, fast-growing, herbaceous, broadleaf annual, typically seen in winter, growing in lawns. It is listed as a noxious weed in several southern states from OR south to CA to FL and north to VA.

Either full sun or partial shade in stressed, worn, or bare areas of turfgrass is where it grows best reaching height of 2 inches and a spread of 6 inches. It is known for its tiny sharp-needled seeds and small feathery leaves that have the appearance of parsley. The seeds are contained in a pod that appears in the junction of branches and they can hook onto clothing, shoes or other equipment and travel great distances. The plant develops a number of creeping stems that produce shoots that, if left alone, will form a low ground cover. When the plant matures, it displays small, bright yellow flowers. In some areas of the country, the plants is known as Bindi Patches with the reputation that they cannot be walked on barefoot. This includes dogs and cats, which tend to avoid sites where the weed appears.

Healthy turfgrass is one of its biggest competitors. Manually remove the weeds by pulling up the plant including the root; however, this should be done before seeding. Because of its prostrate growth habit, it is very difficult to mow it. Manage with herbicides that target broadleaf plants. Aerating the soil also tends to reduce the presence of lawn burweed.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. This species is listed as invasive by the NC Invasive Plant Council.

See this plant in the following landscape: Cultivars / Varieties: Tags: #winter annual weed#high maintenance#fast growing#aggressive#small flowers#annual weed#cool season weed#burrs#weedy Add

Cultivars / Varieties: Tags: #winter annual weed#high maintenance#fast growing#aggressive#small flowers#annual weed#cool season weed#burrs#weedy

• Attributes: Genus: Soliva Species: sessilis Family: Asteraceae Life Cycle: Annual Recommended Propagation Strategy: Seed Country Or Region Of Origin: Peru to Brazil and Southern South America Dimensions: Height: 0 ft. 1 in. - 0 ft. 2 in. Width: 0 ft. 2 in. - 0 ft. 6 in.

• Whole Plant Traits: Plant Type: Annual Weed Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics: Broadleaf Evergreen Deciduous Habit/Form: Prostrate Growth Rate: Rapid Maintenance: High Texture: Fine

• Cultural Conditions: Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours) Soil Texture: Sand Soil Drainage: Occasionally Wet Available Space To Plant: Less than 12 inches NC Region: Coastal Mountains Piedmont

• Fruit: Fruit Type: Achene Fruit Description: The flattened 'seeds' are less than a 1/4 inch with a two-lobed wing along either side and two spines at one end, one of which is especially sharp. The fruit usually mature in spring and summer.

• Flowers: Flower Color: Gold/Yellow Green Flower Inflorescence: Head Insignificant Flower Bloom Time: Spring Summer Flower Size: < 1 inch Flower Description: Tiny yellow green disk flowers (no ray flowers) in the leaf axils. The flower-heads are roughly hemispherical in shape, and 1/4 inch across when the 'seeds' are mature. The flowering season is February-July.

• Leaves: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics: Broadleaf Evergreen Deciduous Leaf Color: Green Leaf Feel: Soft Leaf Type: Simple Leaf Arrangement: Opposite Leaf Shape: Palmatifid Leaf Margin: Lobed Hairs Present: Yes Leaf Length: < 1 inch Leaf Width: < 1 inch Leaf Description: Small feathery leaves resembling parsley. The leaves are borne on stalks up to 3/4 inch long and have deeply divided leaf blades. These relatively small leaf blades (3/4 inch long and 1/2 inch wide) are covered in soft hairs (i.e. pilose). The first leaves are arranged in a rosette, while leaves are also alternately arranged along the stems.

• Stem: Stem Color: Green Purple/Lavender Stem Is Aromatic: No Stem Surface: Hairy (pubescent) Stem Description: 1 to 10 light or dark green stems slighty to very hairy with purple spots

• Landscape: Landscape Location: Lawn Problems: Weedy

Soliva sessilis

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