Origin:
Native to Europe - widespread in United States.
Biology:
Broadleaf annual, biennial, or perennial in some areas. Usually an annual weed, but it may survive the winter and thereby be considered a biennial.
Identification:
Mature plant bushy, well branched and spreading, from 1’ to 5’ tall. Leaves are round, with 5 to 7 shallow lobes, and alternate on the stem on stalks that are 1” to 6” long - dark green and often covered with fine hairs. Flowers on short stalks from base of leaf stalk of top of plant, small, white with pinkish tinge, 5 petals. Fruit is round and contains 10-12 kidney shaped seeds. Resembles a wheel of cheese, hence the name.
Characteristicts Important to Control:
Grows easily in any kind of soil – cultivated crops and orchards, dry waste places, landscape or city streets. Particularly a problem in areas of low maintenance in turfgrass or landscape.
