Common "Obnoxious" Weeds
This is a list of common weeds that are not on our noxious weed list, but are "obnoxious" weeds. They may look similar to some noxious weeds on our list, but are different.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/595e9d5be9a5752409f9a35a/5967db97931a84580918e785_Prostrate%20Spurge.jpg)
Prostrate Spurge
Euphorbia maculata
- Forms a mat, growing close to the ground and spreading out
- In the Spurge Family, so contains that milky latex sap that is toxic and a skin irritant
- Annual plant, forms lots of seeds
- Grows in cracks, disturbed soil, and many other areas
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Bur Buttercup
Ranunculus testiculatus
- Often confused with Puncturevine
- It is one of the first plants that flowers after snowmelt, (many months before puncturevine)
- Grows clustered together into what looks like a mat
- develops sharp spiny fruit on top of stem (which is how it is confused with puncturevine)
- Small, yellow flowers
- Annual weed, native of southeastern Europe
- Commonly seen in gardens, pastures, wastes areas, and along roadsides
- Winter annual that emerges, flowers, and sets fruits in the spring, when temperatures climb into the 45 to 50-degree range
- Toxic species because it contains ranunculin, a chemical that changes into to protoanemonin, a highly toxic compound. The transformation of ranunculin into protoanemonin occurs when the plant is crushed.
- There are reports of sheep poisonings after ingesting bur buttercup.
- It is important to control bur buttercup before they produce flowers and seeds
- Hoeing, pulling and digging can control bur buttercup, as well as certain herbicides
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/595e9d5be9a5752409f9a35a/5967da572e530f167c52922d_Common%20Mallow.jpg)
Common Mallow
Malva neglecta
- Spreading annual, rarely a biennial
- Flowers are pink to white in color
- Commonly found in lawn and turf areas
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Common Mullein
Verbascum thapsus
- Biennial plant
- Grows tall, up to 6 feet or more
- grows in a wide variety of habitats
- needs open ground to germinate and grow
- reproduces by seed
- Can be a host for many insects that can damage other plants
- Produces a large, fuzzy rosette the first year
- Makes a shallow taproot
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/595e9d5be9a5752409f9a35a/5967db421bc6e3211259ed0c_Prickly%20Lettuce.jpg)
Prickly Lettuce
Lactuca serriola
- Annual or biennial
- Has spines on stems and leaves
- Produces a milky sap when cut
- Commonly seen on roadsides and other disturbed areas
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/595e9d5be9a5752409f9a35a/5967dbd81bc6e3211259ed57_Purple%20Mustard.jpg)
Purple Mustard
Chorispora tenella
- Annual plant, reproduces by seed
- Has a strong, unpleasant odor
- Can reduce yield in grain fields
- Can taint milk if grazed on by dairy cattle
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/595e9d5be9a5752409f9a35a/5967dc01df1fca77144032b5_Redroot%20Pigweed.jpg)
Redroot Pigweed
Amaranthus retroflexus
- Annual plant
- Can reach heights of up to about 9 ft.
- Forms a tumbleweed
- Inflorescence is a dense cluster at the top of the stem
- Eaten as a vegetable in different parts of the world
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/595e9d5be9a5752409f9a35a/5967dc698463432b8b2294cd_Redstem%20Filaree.jpg)
Redstem filaree
Erodium cicutarium
- Annual, sometimes biennial
- Flowers are bright pink, 5 petaled
- Seed pods are pointy like a storks bill
- Leaves are feathery looking
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/595e9d5be9a5752409f9a35a/5967df708463432b8b2295f0_Russian%20Thistle.jpg)
Russian Thistle
Salsola kali
- Commonly seen tumbleweed
- Breaks off and spreads seed as it tumbles
- Annual plant, tends to grown in salty, sandy soils
- Develops sharp spines once mature
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/595e9d5be9a5752409f9a35a/597a6b693cafbd00012f4adf_spotted-splurge.jpg)
Spotted Spurge
Chamaesyce maculata
- ā€¨Prostrate annual spurge
- Red or pink flowers
- Leaves have central spot of dark purple
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/595e9d5be9a5752409f9a35a/5967dd0352fd530fea785e7f_Spring%20Draba.jpg)
Spring Draba
Draba verna
- Annual plant
- Small white flowers with four deeply lobed petals
- Member of the Mustard family (Brassicaceae)
- Grows in meadow areas and disturbed areas