Nipplewort

Lapsana communis

Nipplewort (Lapsana communis) is an annual that grows to 1 m in height, it has a spindly appearance with few hairs, and a milky sap. The stem branches widely on the upper part of the plant, and the leaves are slender, toothed and sometimes hairy. The flowers grow in clusters, are a pale yellow, and appear between December and March. They are small and numerous, and only open in sunlight, closing in the afternoon. Found throughout New Zealand, except in Westland (South Island) and Taranaki (North Island) in gardens, cultivated areas, and shady areas on footpaths, and at the edges of forests.

Related Pests

Chickweed

Stellaria media

Chickweed (Stellaria media) is a widespread, very resistant weed, it is found in the North and South Island in areas of cultivated land and roadsides. Commonly seen in winter, it does not favour drier conditions. It is a problem in small grain crops such as barley, causing up to 80% yield losses. It a low growing spreading annual (up to 40 cm) with, light green soft leaves, (lighter underneath) up to 2 cm long. The leaves are in opposite pairs on hairy stalks. Flowers are white, about 1 cm in diameter, with 5 deeply divided petals that appear to be 10 petals. Chickweed flowers and sets seeds simultaneously. The seeds are contained in green egg-shaped capsules, and one plant produces about 15,000 seeds, which remain capable of germination in the soil for up to 5 years.

Shepherds Purse

Capsella bursa-pastoris

Shepherd's purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) is a rosette annual with distinctive flower stems that grow to 30 cm high. It is very common throughout New Zealand in cultivated soil and is conspicuously present in the winter although it can germinate at any time through the year.

Oxtongue

Picris echioides

Oxtongue (Picris echioides) a tall (up to 1 m) bristly leaved annual or biennial with yellow dandelion like flowers. Prolific in the lower North Island and Hawkes Bay and more occasionally found elsewhere in New Zealand. Commonly found in arable land, pastures and roadsides.