- Author: Lynn M. Sosnoskie
Abutilon theophrasti (commonly known as velvetleaf) is a summer-emerging, annual, broad-leaf weed native to Asia. The species can be found mainly in the Central Valley (and mostly in the Sacramento Valley) in agronomic crop systems, along roadsides, in orchards and vineyards, and in other disturbed areas.
Cotyledons (approximately 1/2 inch (12 mm) long and wide) are rounded to heart-shaped in appearance. The first true leaves are heart-shaped with with shallow and rounded-toothed margins. Velvetleaf cotyledons, leaves and petioles are covered with fine, soft hairs (hence the name 'velvetleaf').
Images are included in a printable PDF document at the end of the post. For more...
- Author: Lynn M. Sosnoskie
Growers (mainly pistachios) and crop consultants in the southern and western parts of the San Joaquin Valley have recently reported the spread of alkaliweed from low-lying saline or alkaline soils (including seasonal wetlands and floodplains) into irrigation ditches, orchards, and some agricultural fields (Figure 1).
Now, some of you may be asking 'What is alkaliweed?'
Alkaliweed (Cressa truxillensis) is a native, perennial plant in the morningglory family (Convolvulaceae), the same family of field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) and dodder (Cuscuta spp.). The species has a prostrate to ascending growth habit, rarely exceeding a foot in height. The species produces grey-green,...
- Author: Lynn M. Sosnoskie
There will be TWO upcoming weed science extension days in the San Joaquin Valley this April.
The first will be held on the 2nd of April at the Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Parlier (9240 South Riverbend Road, Parlier CA 93648) and the second will be held on April 11th at the Westside Research and Extension Center in Five Points (17353 West Oakland Avenue, Five Points, CA 93624).
The meeting at the Kearney Center will focus on rangeland, turf, and tree and vine systems while the meeting at the Westside Center will focus on agronomic crops, ROWs, and tree and vine systems. Both meetings will open with hands-on weed ID and nozzle selection/drift...
- Author: Lynn M. Sosnoskie
NOTE: A graduate student at CSU Fresno is looking to describe the geographic distribution of alkaliweed in California. Please see the end of the article for a link to a QUICK survey describing where YOU have encountered this species.
Growers (mainly pistachios) and crop consultants in the southern and western parts of the San Joaquin Valley have recently reported the spread of alkaliweed from low-lying saline or alkaline soils (including seasonal wetlands and floodplains) into irrigation ditches, orchards, and some agricultural fields.
- Author: Lynn M. Sosnoskie
You just KNOW that some plants are considered weeds. Their common names give them away. They sound awful. Giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum). Ripgut brome (Bromus diandrus). Devil's claw (Proboscidea lutea). Smellmelon (Cucumis melo). Itchgrass (Rottboellia cochinchinensis). Dog-strangling vine (Cyanthum rossicum).
Others...well, others seem more benign. Even sweet. For Valentine's day I present to you nine weedy plants with lovely names. Enjoy...
1. Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus altissima). How celestial (Sigh...). How divine (Sigh...). How invasive (sigh...wait, what?). Tree-of-heaven is a deciduous tree, native...