Twin Cress

Coronopus didymus

Twin cress (Coronopus didymus) is very commonly found throughout New Zealand. It is an annual weed that germinates in the spring and autumn. As a seedling it is a rosette that develops a scrambling habit out to 40 cm. Twin cress is common in cultivated ground, crops and open pastures. Can cause significant issues on dairy farms as it can taint milk.

Cotyledons:

Apex rounded
Tapered base
Stalkless

Leaves:

First leaves club shaped with long stalks
Later leaves single stemmed with multiple leaflets

Related Pests

Broad-leaved Dock

Rumex obtusifolius

Broad-leafed docks (Rumex obtusifolius) grow prolifically throughout New Zealand. This is the most common dock weed found around farmyards, in damp arable & pasture land, wasteland and gardens.

The leaves are very large and broad (up to 35 cm long and 15 cm wide) hairy underneath, and have long stems. The plant can grow to 1 m tall. Flowers appear from July to April and are usually small, green (sometimes red) and inconspicuous, carried above the leaves in clusters. The root is a strong thick perennial taproot, enabling easy regrowth. Seeds are a reddish brown.

Cornbind

Fallopia convolvulus

Cornbind (Fallopia convolvulus) also known as Black-bindweed, is a climbing, spreading vine that grows to 1 – 1.5 m long with stems that twine clockwise around other plant stems. The leaves are arrow-shaped up to 9 cm long by 6 cm wide. The flowers (November to April) are pale green, small and grow in clusters closer to the ends of the stems. Seeds are triangular and shiny black. Cornbind is more commonly found in the South Island (South Canterbury), but is showing up increasingly in cultivated areas in Hawkes Bay and Wellington.

Amaranthus - Red Root

Amaranthus powellii

Commonly known as redroot, amaranthus (Amaranthus powellii) is a serious weed of maize, other crops and orchards and is widespread throughout New Zealand. It can grow up to 1 m in height and is characterised by red coloured stem.