Crop Protection Online > Pests - Weed biology<br> <sub>Agro-region: Denmark</sub> - Polygonum aviculare L.

Crop Protection Online

31.10 2024

Weed biology
_{Agro-region: Denmark}

Polygonum aviculare L.

Can be mistaken for

Plantago lanceolata L., which has somewhat larger dicotyledon leaves and true leaves.

Characteristics

Cotyledons
Long and slender with entire leaf margins. Unstalked. The surface is sometimes slightly hairy, otherwise smooth. Length approx. 10-15 mm.

True leaves
Lancet-shaped with entire leaf margins. Unstalked. The surface is sometimes slightly hairy, otherwise smooth. The colour of the first true leaves is often very reddish. Length approx. 20-30 mm.

Mature plant
Knotgrass is a low-growing plant with 20-60 cm long, trailing stems. The species is known by the membraneous sheaths (“cones”), which encircle the stems and which are located at each attachment. The diameter of the flower is approx. 2 mm. Seed production: Up to approx. 200 seeds per plant.

Seed
Almost triangular with a slender, slightly curved top. Triangular cross section. Slightly granular surface. The seed is usually surrounded by remnants of the perianth. Thousand grain weight approx. 2.7 g.

Biology

Propagation and dispersal
Only through seeds.

Habit
Summer annual.

Importance

The species is a very common weed in spring-sown crops throughout Denmark. In cereal crops and Oil-seed Rape the plant does not have any special influence on yield. However, it can easily become very troublesome in open crops.

For treatment options, consult 'Herbicides Across'.
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Taxonomy

Polygonaceae.

Names in different languages

Danish :	Pileurt, vej
German :	Vogelknöterich
English :	Knotgrass
Latin :	Polygonum aviculare L.
Norwegian :	Tungras
Swedish :	Trampört

Seedling

Early stage

Flower

Mature plant

Seeds

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Weed biology Agro-region: Denmark