Broadleaf Plantain
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Large oval leaves in close-to-ground rosette formation
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Stem in the center with tiny flowers all around it
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Extremely hardy perennial – thrives in compacted soil and other harsh conditions
Chickweed
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Dense succulent creeping ground cover
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Produces small white flowers
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Mouse-ear variety has fuzzy leaves and stems
Clover
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Red and white varieties (white grows lower than red)
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Has nitrogen-fixing properties
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Leaves are typically grouped in threes
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Prefers cooler, moist environments
Crabgrass
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Often confused with other grassy weeds like nutsedge
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Hard to kill once it has emerged, pre-emergent treatment is best
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Annual weed that will die off with frost, most prevalent in the summer
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Smooth blades – large variety has little hairs
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Starts germinating in warmer temps
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Grows in small clusters in thin parts of lawns, or near the edge of walkways
Dallisgrass
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Often confused with crabgrass
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Perennial grassy weed
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Grows in clumps
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Tall spikelets have distinct black hairs
Dandelions
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Perennial that forms small leaf rosettes over the winter
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Bright yellow flowers turn into white seed heads that are easily spread by the wind
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Needs lots of moisture and sunlight
Ground Ivy (aka Creeping Charlie)
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Perennial with scalloped, fan-shaped leaves and small purple flowers
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Its creeping nature means it can easily take over as ground cover if not controlled
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Very difficult to remove, will typically take multiple seasons of regular treatment
Nimblewill
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Often confused with crabgrass
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Grassy perennial that thrives in moisture
Nutsedge
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Leaves are often confused with crabgrass
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Nutsedge leaves are grouped in threes at the base
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Yellow and purple varieties – determined by color of seedheads and leaves
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Both varieties thrive in moisture but can survive in drier conditions once established
Poison Ivy
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Contains highly irritating urushiol oil – leaves are often shiny due to oil
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Leaflets of three
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Leaves can have different edges: smooth, toothed, or even lobed like oak leaves
Purslane
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Summer succulent annual that may produce small yellow flowers
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Branches out from the base
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Drought-tolerant
Quackgrass
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Often confused with crabgrass
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Can quickly form large patches
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Very hardy grass that can be difficult to remove
Spurge
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Similar in appearance to purslane but without flowers
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Dark green leaves feature reddish or purplish stems and leaf spots
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Thrives in poor soil conditions
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Branches out from base
Thistles
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Many different kinds: main ones are bullthistle and canada thistle
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Distinctive prickly leaves (bullthistle has bigger spikes)
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Both invasive and noxious – it often takes over vacant areas
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Both kinds produce pink or purple flowers in the summer
Wild Violets
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Scalloped, heart-shaped leaves that are slightly cupped
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Small flowers can vary from blue, light purple, or white and appear similar to pansies
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Grows in bunches that can get up to 5 inches tall
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Prefers cool and moist soil with lots of shade
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Very aggressive and difficult to remove, will typically take multiple seasons of regular treatment
Sources:
Canva Pro (images)
Dow AgroSciences Turf and Ornamental Weed Guide
https://hgic.clemson.edu/all-factsheets/
https://weedguide.cfaes.osu.edu/
https://owl.osu.edu/resources/weed-identification
https://www.almanac.com/content/common-garden-weeds
https://www.forestryimages.org/browse/Archivethumb.cfm?Arc=1
