Carpet Burweed (Soliva sessilis)
WEED ALERT

Threat to Turf and Recreation Areas

Family: Sunflower (Aster)

Other Names: Lawn Burweed, Onehunga Weed, Spurweed

Photo Credit: Bart and Susan Eisenberg, via University of California, Berkeley Digital Library Project

Description:

Stems:  Low growing; to about 2 inches in height. Single plants can spread to 6 inches in diameter.

Leaves:  Very finely divided. Feathery in appearance.

Flowers:  Yellow, inconspicuous

Seeds:  Small, flattened seed structures terminate in up-turned spine tips that easily attach to shoes, clothing and animals.

Concern

Carpet burweed, an introduced weed originating from South America, was discovered by the BC Parks Branch at Ruckle Park, Saltspring Island in 1997. This is the first confirmed siting of this winter annual weed in B.C. The weeds are threatening the destruction of a number of endangered plant species at this site.

It has become a major nuisance in the United States on golf courses, athletic fields and in parks and lawns. It is of particular concern on playfields and other recreational sites due to the production of sharply pointed spines on the seed structures. These can easily pierce the skin. In the absence of competition, or on compacted soils, plants will cover the ground like a “carpet”.

Burweed develops to full maturity very early and very quickly in the spring, given warm, dry conditions.

What Can You Do?

Be Aware! Plants seed out very early in the Spring. Control plants early!

• Learn to identify carpet burweed or take suspect plants to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food to confirm identification.
• Take immediate action by pulling, mulching or using herbicides to prevent plants from setting seed.
• Stay off infested sites to prevent seed attachment and spread.
• Thoroughly clean footwear, clothing, equipment, etc. before leaving infested areas.
• Do not move infested soil.
• Do not Hesitate. Control infested patches immediately.

For more information contact
the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries

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