Broad-leafed Fleabane

Conyza sumatrensis

Broad-leaved fleabane (Conyza sumatrensis) is an annual or biennial weed that is common throughout New Zealand on roadsides, wasteland, orchards and vineyards. In recent years it has been increasingly seen in pasture. It starts as a rosette that then forms a vigorous upright stem up to 1.8 metres tall. The stem branches at the top producing copious quantities of small green seed heads.

Cotyledons:

Apex rounded
Base rounded
Stalkless

Leaves

Oval
Tapered to the base
Hairy

Related Pests

Black Nightshade

Solanum nigrum

Black nightshade (Solanum nigrum) is a significant weed in arable and horticultural crops but it is also common in disturbed pasture. Black nightshade is present throughout New Zealand but less so in the lower South Island. Distinctive black berries (7-10 mm) can be found on mature plants.

Fathen

Chenopodium album

Fathen (Chenopodium album), pronounced fat-hen and sometimes called fat hen, is one of the most serious weeds of cropping throughout New Zealand. It is an annual that germinates in the spring and early summer and then dies off in the autumn with frosts. Fathen is an extremely vigorous weed that can quickly outcompete and smother crops. An upright plant that can grow to 2 m tall and is a prolific seeder.

Speedwell

Veronica persica

Speedwell (Veronica persica) is very common throughout New Zealand. Also known as scrambling speedwell, it is a sprawling, many stemmed annual with blue flowers. Germinates in both autumn and spring, so can be a problem weed in arable and brassica crops.

Willow Weed

Persicaria maculosa

Willow weed (Persicaria maculosa) is an erect and sprawling summer growing annual that can be a serious weed in crops (e.g. maize). It has reddish stems and pink spike like flowers. It is common in the spring and summer throughout New Zealand but is quickly killed by frosts. A similar species, water pepper, grows taller and is common in wet places.