Weeds of sportsturf and amenity turf

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The scientific name for the weed Smooth Hawksbeard.

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A very common perennial weed of turf surfaces. Its scientific name is Bellis perennis. It has rosette shaped oval leaves and with them usually being up to 4cm in length. Close inspection of the leaves show they are slightly toothed, with a blunt more rounded leaf tip. The central flower head, which is disc shaped and 15 to 25mm in diameter, is coloured yellow; and is surrounded by white or pinkish leaflets (which are called ray florets); the bracts on the underside of the flower are green in colour. The flower head is attached to the top of a stem called a scape, typically being from 3cm to 12

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A very common weed of turf surfaces. Its scientific name is Taraxacum officinale. It is a Perennial, with a prominent taproot; the leaves are elongated and lobed, with a toothed edge; the mid-rib towards the base of the leaf is often tinged with red. The plant develops into a rosette of leaves in turf which makes it difficult to control by regular mowing.

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An annual weed of lesser maintained turf surfaces to amenity grass surfaces which might be mown at about 20mm or every 10-14 days. Its leaves vary in diameter, with 25mm being a typical size, and the lobes are cut to about 2/3rds to the base of the leaf. Its stem is lightly hairy, whilst it flowers from April to September, having small (about 10mm diameter) pink coloured flowers. It is common on dry and moist soils, having more of a preference for drier sandy soils. For soil pH it adapts well to calcareous soils but will also grow well on acidic soils. It does not like shaded conditions. Its scientific name is Geranium molle.

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A perennial weed of lesser maintained amenity turf surfaces. Its scientific name is Cirsium acaule. Its leaves are low growing, spiky and form a rosette pattern. It spreads by rhizomes. It is present on drier soils, particularly on neutral to chalky soils, and without shade. It flowers from June to September, with them being purple in colour.

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The scientific name for the weed Field Horsetail.

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The scientific name for the weed Common Storksbill.

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The scientific name for the weed Sun Spurge.

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An annual weed of disturbed soil or newly sown areas; it is not found in mown turf. Its scientific name is Chenopodium album. The main flowering period is July to October, having green tepals.

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A common Annual grass, with the scientific name of Catapodium rigidum. The leaf is Flat or rolled, having a typical width of 0.5-2mm. The Ligule is Membranous, being 1-3mm in length; Auricle?: No. Growth type is Tufted.