Origin:
Introduced to the United States from the Mediterranean
Biology:
Annual broadleaf weed. Its seeds germinate in the fall through early spring, making it one of the earliest weeds to grow each year. Plant matures in late spring with heavy seed production and then it dies off.
Identification:
Mature plant may be prostrate or sub-erect, either reaching around 1.5 feet in height, or with stems growing outward close to the ground, and then curving upward at the ends. Short, whitish hairs grow sparsely along the stem. Leaves are simple, in that they are heavily lobed, but are not divided into leaflets on the stem the way redstem and whitestem filaree are. The deep lobes may give the appearance of leaflets, but they do not reach the central vein of the leaf. Flowers form in umbrella fashion on long stalks that arise from the leaf axils. Flowers are violet, have 5 petals, and very small. Seeds are borne in a long fruit up to 5 inches long. As it dries it separates into five parts that tightly coil loosely, with the seed at the end.
Characteristicts Important to Control:
Common in virtually any situation, but particularly where there is not a heavy competing ground cover. Physical removal is effective if undertaken prior to the formation of the seedheads.
