Botanical name: Helminthotheca echioides
Family: Asteraceae
General Information
Bristly ox-tongue is a dandelion type weed which is both annual and biennial. It is not a common weed in well maintained lawns, it is more confined to general purpose and neglected lawns.
Identification
- Leaf – Bristly ox-tongue has long narrow oblong shaped leaves. Each leaf has many whitish swollen pimples which are rough and bristly to touch.
- Flower – Bristly ox-tongue flowers are visible from June to September, producing clusters of flowers, each flower can be up to 25mm in diameter..
- Root – This plant has a deep taproot.
- Preferred habitat – Bristly ox-tongue can grow on a wide range of soil types but is usually confined to bare ground and neglected areas of turf.
Bristly-ox Tongue images
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Prevention and Control
Hand weed any individual plants. For a large infestation a selective herbicide will have to be used. Use a selective weed killer containing a mixture of 2,4-D, Dicamba and Mecoprop-p, repeat again 6 weeks later if necessary.