Weeds in Sydney

Weeds are invasive plants that grow quickly and aggressively, often outcompeting desirable turf and plants for resources.
They can cause damage to the ecosystem and disrupt the balance of local flora and fauna.
Weeds can also impact the aesthetic appeal of a lawn or garden, reducing its value and beauty.

Weeds can have negative impacts on soil health and fertility by altering its nutrient balance and reducing the soil’s ability to retain water, leading to dry and nutrient-deficient soil that is not suitable for turf growth.

Driveway, Pavers, Garden Bed Weeds – We’ll take care of it

Broadleaf weeds are typically dicotyledonous plants with wide, flat leaves and net-like veins.
They are generally easier to identify than grassy weeds, making it simpler to target them with herbicides or other control methods.
Broadleaf weeds can be particularly problematic in turf because they often grow faster than grass, outcompeting the desirable grass species and causing an unsightly appearance.
Grassy weeds are monocotyledonous plants with long, narrow leaves and parallel veins.
They can be more difficult to identify than broadleaf weeds, as their leaves can look similar to those of the surrounding grass.
Grassy weeds can be particularly difficult to control in turf because they can be closely related to desirable grass species, making it challenging to use herbicides without damaging the turfgrass itself.

Common Broad-Leaf Turf Weeds in Sydney

Bindii

Bindii, also known as Jo-jo or Onehunga weed, is a common weed in Australia that can be particularly problematic for lawns and recreational areas due to its prickly seed heads.

Common name(s): Bindii, Jo-jo, Onehunga weed
Scientific name: Soliva pterosperma
Lifecycle: Annual
Seasons of growth: Spring to summer
Distinguishing features: Low-growing rosette of spiky, fern-like leaves that can form dense mats in turf. Produces small yellow flowers and spiky seed heads that can cause painful injury to bare feet and animal paws.

Capeweed

Capeweed, also known as cape dandelion, is a common broadleaf weed in Sydney that can quickly invade turf areas and cause damage. It is especially problematic in lawns and gardens that receive regular irrigation.

Common name(s): Capeweed, Cape dandelion

Scientific Name: Arctotheca calendula

Lifecycle: Annual or biennial

Seasons of growth: Capeweed seeds germinate in autumn, and the plant flowers in spring and summer. It can persist through winter in mild climates.

Distinguishing features: Capeweed has a rosette of leaves at the base of the plant, and the leaves are deeply lobed and toothed. The plant produces bright yellow flowers with black centres that resemble dandelions. Capeweed can grow up to 30cm tall and has a taproot.

Catsear

Catsear is a common weed found in lawns throughout Sydney. Its scientific name is Hypochaeris radicata and it can grow up to 50cm tall. This perennial weed can be found in most seasons, but it is most active in spring and summer.

Common name(s): Catsear, False Dandelion
Scientific Name: Hypochaeris radicata
Lifecycle: Perennial
Seasons of growth: Catsear is most active in spring and summer, but it can be found in most seasons.
Distinguishing features: Catsear has a rosette of long, narrow, hairy leaves that can grow up to 20cm long. Its yellow dandelion-like flowers appear on tall stems, and its leaves form a basal rosette that is hairy and wavy along the edges.

Chickweed

Chickweed is a common broadleaf weed found in Sydney lawns and gardens. It can form dense mats that choke out desirable turfgrass species and can be difficult to control once established.

Common name(s): Chickweed
Scientific Name: Stellaria media
Lifecycle: Annual or winter annual
Seasons of growth: Germinates in autumn and grows through winter and spring, but can also grow in the summer
Distinguishing features: Leaves are egg-shaped and oppositely arranged along the stem, with small white flowers. It grows low to the ground and forms dense mats.

Clover

White Clover is a common broadleaf weed that often invades lawns and gardens. It spreads through underground stems called rhizomes and is highly adaptable to different soil types and growing conditions. While it can add nitrogen to the soil, it can also compete with grass and other plants for nutrients, sunlight, and water.
Common name(s): White Clover, Dutch Clover

Scientific Name: Trifolium repens

Lifecycle: Perennial

Seasons of growth: Grows throughout the year in areas with mild temperatures, but tends to go dormant in the winter months in colder areas

Distinguishing features: Has a characteristic white, ball-shaped flower that blooms in the summer months. It has three leaves that are green and oval-shaped, with a white V-shaped mark on the top of each leaf.

Cotula

Cotula australis, commonly known as Australian Cotula or Brass Buttons, is a perennial broadleaf weed that spreads by seed and by stolons. It is commonly found in lawns, pastures, and disturbed areas.

Common name(s): Australian Cotula, Carrot Weed, Funnel Weed

Scientific Name: Cotula australis

Lifecycle: Perennial

Seasons of growth: It grows year-round, with peak growth during spring and summer.

Distinguishing features: Australian Cotula has bright yellow, button-like flowers that bloom from spring to summer. Its leaves are dark green and fern-like, and it spreads by both seed and stolons. The plant can form dense mats that smother other vegetation.

Creeping Oxalis

Creeping Oxalis, also known as Wood Sorrel, is a common broadleaf weed found in lawns and gardens in Sydney. It can be difficult to control because of its ability to regrow from small root fragments left in the soil.

Common name(s): Creeping Oxalis, Wood Sorrel
Scientific Name: Oxalis corniculata
Lifecycle: Perennial
Seasons of growth: Grows all year round, but is most prevalent in spring and summer.
Distinguishing features: Creeping Oxalis has clover-like leaves that fold at night and in response to touch or changes in light. Its flowers are typically yellow with five petals and can bloom throughout the year. The weed spreads by producing seeds and through the growth of its thin, wiry stems, which can root at the nodes. Creeping Oxalis has a shallow root system that can be easily pulled up, but care must be taken to remove all root fragments to prevent regrowth.

Cudweed

Cudweed, also known as Gnaphalium, is a common broadleaf weed found in turfgrass throughout Sydney. It is particularly problematic in lawns that have been mown too low, as it thrives in short, compacted grass.

Common name(s): Cudweed, Rabbit Tobacco, Sweet Balsam
Scientific Name: Gnaphalium spp.
Lifecycle: Annual or Perennial
Seasons of growth: Spring, Summer, Autumn
Distinguishing features: Cudweed has small, white or yellowish flowers that bloom in clusters at the top of the stem. Its leaves are narrow and hairy, and are usually gray-green in color. The plant grows low to the ground and has a spreading habit, often forming dense mats in turfgrass.

Dandelion

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is a broadleaf weed commonly found in lawns and gardens throughout Sydney. It has a deep taproot and a rosette of serrated leaves that grow low to the ground. Dandelions can be quite stubborn and difficult to remove once they’ve taken hold in your lawn or garden. Here are some key characteristics of this common weed:

Common name(s): Dandelion
Scientific name: Taraxacum officinale
Lifecycle: Perennial
Seasons of growth: Spring and Autumn
Distinguishing features: Yellow flowers that turn into a fluffy white seed head, deeply serrated leaves in a rosette formation, and a deep taproot that makes it difficult to remove by hand.

Fleabane

Fleabane is a highly invasive annual weed that is native to North America but has spread rapidly throughout the world, including Sydney. Fleabane can be difficult to control because of its ability to produce large numbers of seeds and its ability to develop herbicide resistance.

Common name(s): Fleabane
Scientific name: Conyza spp.
Lifecycle: Annual
Seasons of growth: Fleabane can germinate in both autumn and spring but typically produces its largest populations in the autumn/winter.
Distinguishing features: Fleabane grows up to 2 metres tall and has a deep taproot. It produces multiple, branched stems that are covered in small, green leaves with a slightly hairy texture. It produces clusters of tiny, white or pink flowers that resemble daisies.

Lambs Tongue

Lamb’s tongue, also known as Plantago lanceolata, is a perennial weed that is native to Europe and Asia but has now become naturalized in many other parts of the world, including Australia. It is commonly found in lawns, pastures, and along roadsides. Here is a brief profile of Lamb’s tongue:

Common name(s): Lamb’s tongue, ribwort plantain, buckhorn plantain
Scientific name: Plantago lanceolata
Lifecycle: Perennial
Seasons of growth: Spring and summer
Distinguishing features: The leaves are narrow and lance-shaped, with prominent parallel veins. The flowering stalks can reach up to 60 cm in height, and produce small, inconspicuous flowers that are arranged in a spike.

Pennywort

Pennywort is a creeping perennial weed that can be found in damp areas such as lawns, gardens, and pastures.

Common name(s): Pennywort, Navelwort
Scientific Name: Hydrocotyle tripartita
Lifecycle: Perennial
Seasons of growth: Spring and Summer
Distinguishing features: The leaves are round or kidney-shaped, with the edges scalloped or notched. The stems are slender and creeping, rooting at the nodes. The flowers are small and white or pink, borne on stalks that arise from the leaf axils. Pennywort spreads via stolons and can form dense mats if left unchecked.

Thistle

Thistle (Sochus spp.) is a genus of broadleaf weeds that is commonly found in lawns and turf grasses throughout Sydney. These weeds can quickly invade and spread throughout turf, leading to significant aesthetic and functional problems. Thistle can be a stubborn and persistent weed that requires careful management to prevent it from taking over a lawn or turf area.

Common name(s): Sowthistle, Milk Thistle, Spear Thistle
Scientific Name: Sochus spp.
Lifecycle: Annual or biennial
Seasons of Growth: Cooler months – However can grow in Summer if conditions are favourable
Distinguishing features: Sowthistle has a distinctive rosette of lobed leaves that can grow up to 12 inches in diameter. The leaves are dark green and shiny on the upper surface, and light green on the underside. The stem of the plant is typically smooth and branching, with small yellow flowers that bloom in clusters.

Wireweed

Wireweed is a summer annual weed that can be found in a variety of habitats including turf, gardens, and agricultural fields. Its stems are prostrate and can grow up to 1 metre in length.

Common name(s): wireweed, knotweed, hogweed
Scientific name: Polygonum aviculare
Lifecycle: Summer annual
Seasons of growth: Spring to autumn
Distinguishing features: leaves are narrow and lance-shaped, with a distinct sheath at the base of each leaf; stems are reddish in colour and can produce small, pink or green or white flowers.

Common Grassy Turf Weeds in Sydney

Bahia Grass

Bahia grass (Paspalum notatum) is a warm-season perennial grass that is often considered a weed in Sydney due to its aggressive growth habits and ability to invade lawns and other turf areas.

Common name(s): Bahia grass, Paspalum notatum
Scientific Name: Paspalum notatum
Lifecycle: Perennial
Seasons of growth: Warm season (spring to autumn)
Distinguishing features: Bahia grass has a coarse texture and grows in clumps or patches. It has a dark green colour and can grow up to 30 cm tall. The leaves are long and narrow, with pointed tips. Bahia grass also produces seed heads that are 15-30 cm long and have numerous spikes.

Carpet Grass

Carpet grass, also known as Axonopus compressus, is a warm-season perennial weed that is commonly found in lawns, pastures, and other low-maintenance areas. Its growth is slow, but it can spread rapidly through stolons and rhizomes, forming thick mats that can crowd out desirable turfgrasses. It is sometimes mistaken for Buffalo.

Common name(s): carpet grass
Scientific name: Axonopus compressus
Lifecycle: Perennial
Seasons of growth: Warm season
Distinguishing features: leaves are flat and broad, with a distinct midrib and a glossy green appearance; seedheads are produced on tall stalks and can resemble small, finger-like spikes.

Crowsfoot Grass

Crowsfoot, also known as narrowleaf carpetgrass, is a perennial grassy weed that is commonly found in lawns, turf, and gardens. It can thrive in a variety of soil types and is known for its fast-growing and spreading nature.

Common name(s): crowsfoot, narrowleaf carpetgrass
Scientific name: Eleusine indica
Lifecycle: Perennial
Seasons of growth: Year-round in tropical regions; summer growth in temperate regions
Distinguishing features: leaves are long and narrow, with a pointed tip and rough edges; can produce small, spike-like flower heads; seeds are held in a three-pronged “crowsfoot” structure at the end of each stem.

Mullumbimby Couch

Mullumbimby couch is a perennial weed that is commonly found in lawns and gardens in Sydney. It grows in clumps, with each clump consisting of several narrow, upright stems that can reach up to 60 cm in height.

Common name(s): Mullumbimby couch
Scientific name: Cyperus brevifolius
Lifecycle: Perennial
Seasons of growth: All year round
Distinguishing features: stems are thin and wiry, with small clusters of green or brown flowers at the tips of the stems; leaves are narrow and pointed, with a V-shaped cross-section.

Nut Grass

Nutgrass, also known as nutsedge, is a persistent and invasive weed that can be found in a variety of environments including turf, gardens, and agricultural fields.

Common name(s): nutgrass, nutsedge
Scientific name: Cyperus rotundus
Lifecycle: Perennial
Seasons of growth: All year round, with peak growth in summer
Distinguishing features: long, narrow leaves with a distinct midrib; bulbous underground roots with small, brownish-black nuts attached; triangular stems that are solid and have a rough texture

Onion Grass

Nutgrass, also known as nutsedge, is a persistent and invasive weed that can be found in a variety of environments including turf, gardens, and agricultural fields.

Paspalum

Paspalum dilatatum, commonly known as Dallis grass, is a warm-season perennial grass weed that is native to South America but is now widely distributed throughout the world. It is commonly found in pastures, lawns, and turfgrass areas.

Common name(s): Paspalum, Dallis grass
Scientific name: Paspalum dilatatum
Lifecycle: Warm-season perennial
Seasons of growth: Spring to autumn
Distinguishing features: flat, long leaves that are sharply pointed at the tip, with a prominent white midrib; seed heads are branched and open with one or two spikes per branch, and the seeds are light brown with a pointed tip.

Summer Grass

Summer grass, also known as crabgrass, is an annual weed that is commonly found in warm-season turf grasses in Sydney. It typically germinates in late spring and spreads quickly, producing a dense mat of foliage.

Common name(s): summer grass, crabgrass
Scientific name: Digitaria sanguinalis
Lifecycle: Annual
Seasons of growth: Late spring to autumn
Distinguishing features: flat stems with overlapping leaves that are smooth on the upper surface and hairy on the lower surface; seedheads are finger-like spikes at the top of the stems.

Winter Grass

Wintergrass (Poa annua) is a cool-season annual weed that can be found in a variety of environments, including lawns, parks, and golf courses. It is often considered a weed due to its fast growth rate and ability to outcompete other turfgrass species.

Common name(s): Wintergrass, annual bluegrass
Scientific name: Poa annua

Common name(s): Wintergrass, annual bluegrass
Scientific name: Poa annua
Lifecycle: Cool-season annual
Seasons of growth: Winter to spring
Distinguishing features: Leaves are narrow and flat, with a distinctive boat-like shape and a prominent midrib; seedheads are triangular and are composed of many small spikelets.Cool-season annual
Seasons of growth: Winter to spring
Distinguishing features: Leaves are narrow and flat, with a distinctive boat-like shape and a prominent midrib; seedheads are triangular and are composed of many small spikelets.