R2103 2.2 Describe the biology of weeds

Question 1

What is an ephemeral weed?

Answer 1

1. A weed that can complete several lifecycles with a year.
2. Roots are usually shallows
3. Seeds often germinate throughout the year

Question 2

Example of ephemeral weeds

Answer 2

1. Cardamine hirsuta (Hairy bittercress)
2. Capsella bursa-pastoris (Shepherds purse)

Question 3

What is an annual weed (6)

Answer 3

1. Cycle within year
2. They grow from seeds on any recently cultivated soil
3. Seeds can survive for years in the ground
4. They germinate at lower temperatures than most garden plants giving them a head start over rivals
5. Best to recognise them at the seedling stage and weed them out
6. Most can be hoed out or pulled out easily. Do before seed head form.

Question 4

Examples for annual weeds

Answer 4

1. Veronica persica (Speedwell)
2. Poa annua (Meadow grass)

Question 5

What is a perennial weed (6)

Answer 5

1. Live for several years
2. Survive winter by storing food in their roots
3. Difficult to dig out - root often spread widely underground
4. Never rotovate soils with a perennial weed problem
5. Dig out as soon as you see them - as long as they cant produce leaves the roots will use up all the energy and die
6. Never put perennial weeds in composts

Question 6

Examples of perennial weeds

Answer 6

1. Ranunculus repens (creeping buttercup)
2. Aegopodium podagraria (ground elder)

Question 7

2 Examples of weeds found in recently cultivated soils

Answer 7

1. Veronica persica ( Speedwell)
2. Sonchus oleraceus (Fat hen)

Question 8

2 Examples of weeds found in herbaceous perennial borders

Answer 8

1. Convolvulus arvensis (Field bindweed)
2. Stellaria media

Question 9

2 Examples of weeds found in woody perennial plantings

Roots entwine with existing shrubs and perennials

Answer 9

1. Galium aparine (Cleavers)
2. Glechoma hederacea

Question 10

2 Examples of weeds found in lawns

Spoil lawns appearance. Bare patches when removed. Walking uncomfortable

Answer 10

1. Bellis perennis (Daisies)
2. Taraxacum officinale (Dandelions)