A weed is defined as any unwanted plant or vegetation found in a man made situation, such as lawns, landscapes or any maintained area. Also used to describe native or non-native plants that grow and are chemically controlled. Weeds are called this because they may be unsightly or limit the growth of other desirable plants or use up the nutrients available to desirable plant material. We categorize weeds into two types:
Broad leaf – weeds have a distinct leaf shape and surface characteristic that can be used in identifying them. The arrangement of the leaves on the stem will also be handy in identifying this type of weed. The leaves are either alternately arranged or are opposite of one another. Some produce leaves in a round pattern from a central point at or beneath the ground and others will grow and spread by means of creeping above the ground by stems called stolons, or below ground by Rhizomes. Broad leaf weeds can produce a fibrous root system or a large tap root. Broad leaf weed often present with colorful flowers in different shapes and sizes. Most can be identified by their flowers alone.
Grassy Weeds- have narrow leaves with veins running parallel to each other. They do not have bright colorful blooms. The leaf shape is comparable among varieties. Grassy weeds are more easily identified by their growth habits and distinctive seed heads. Their growth habits can be put into (3) categories. Bunching, Rhizomatous, and Stoloniferous.
