- Common Weeds in Michigan<\/a>
- 1. Black Medic (Medicago lupulina)<\/a><\/li>
- 2. Broadleaf Plantain (Plantago major)<\/a><\/li>
- 3. Bull Thistle (Cirsium vulgare)<\/a><\/li>
- 4. Carolina Geranium (Geranium carolinianum)<\/a><\/li>
- 5. Chicory (Cichorium intybus)<\/a><\/li>
- 6. Common Chickweed (Stellaria media)<\/a><\/li>
- 7. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)<\/a><\/li>
- 8. English Daisy<\/a><\/li>
- 9. Giant Foxtail (Setaria faberi)<\/a><\/li>
- 10. Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- FAQ About Weeds in Your Michigan Lawn<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
Common Weeds in Michigan<\/span><\/h2>
1. Black Medic (Medicago lupulina<\/em>)<\/span><\/h3>
![\"Black](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/41033770745_4910d7844b_c-1.jpg\")
Andreas Rockstein<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Black medic is a low-growing plant with trifoliate leaves and small yellow flowers that look like white clover. However, unlike clover, black medic produces small, coiled seed pods. This weed is a sign that your soil is low in nitrogen. <\/p>
Life cycle:<\/strong> Cool season summer annual<\/p>
Weed Type:<\/strong> Broadleaf<\/p>
Where it thrives:<\/strong> Prefers dry, sunny areas; also areas where the soil is compacted or lacking in nutrients.<\/p>
How to identify black medic:<\/strong><\/p>
- Alternate compound leaves with three leaflets.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Small, round, yellow flowers forming clusters. <\/li> <\/ul>
- Dark, soiled seed pods.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Toothed stipules.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Shallow taproot with small nodules.<\/li> <\/ul>
2. Broadleaf Plantain (Plantago major<\/em>)<\/span><\/h3>
![\"Closeup](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/AdobeStock_486152607.jpg\")
orestligetka<\/a> | Adobe Stock Free | License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Broadleaf plantain is easy to recognize for its wide oval shaped leaves and long flower spike. This perennial weed grows where other plants struggle, making it a common sight in compacted, soggy, or well-traveled areas. <\/p>
Life cycle:<\/strong> Perennial<\/p>
Weed type:<\/strong> Broadleaf<\/p>
Where it thrives:<\/strong> Nutrient-rich soil. Compacted soil. Wet or dry conditions.<\/p>
How to identify broadleaf plantain: <\/strong><\/p>
- Rosette of oval leaves against the ground. <\/li> <\/ul>
- Leaves have 3 to 5 prominent parallel veins running through them.<\/li> <\/ul>
- It produces leafless, slender spikes.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Clusters of tiny, white flowers at the top of the spikes. <\/li> <\/ul>
3. Bull Thistle (Cirsium vulgare<\/em>)<\/span><\/h3>
![\"Closeup](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/29891382392_cd26fa44ff_c-1.jpg\")
Logan Ward<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Bull thistle has a fierce appearance and the ability to spread quickly. It stands out with its pink magenta flowers and notorious spines. <\/p>
Life cycle:<\/strong> Biennial<\/p>
Weed type:<\/strong> Broadleaf<\/p>
Where it thrives:<\/strong> Sunny, open areas. Moist to dry soils. <\/p>
How to identify bull thistle: <\/strong><\/p>
- Low-lying rosette of leaves its first year, stems during the second year.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Long alternate leaves with sharp spines at the tip and midrib.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Hairy leaves.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Single, erect stem that branches out. <\/li> <\/ul>
- Pink-magenta flower head on each stem with spines at the base of flowers. <\/li> <\/ul>
4. Carolina Geranium (Geranium carolinianum<\/em>)<\/span><\/h3>
![\"Closeup](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/512px-Geranium_Carolinianum_\u30a2\u30e1\u30ea\u30ab\u30d5\u30a6\u30ed_150022897.jpg\")
Chihiro H<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY 3.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Carolina geranium is a low growing weed that has shredded leaves and pale pink or white flowers. It grows along fence rows, around building foundations, and in other margin areas that don’t see regular mowing or fertilization.<\/p>
Life cycle:<\/strong> Annual<\/p>
Weed Type:<\/strong> Broadleaf<\/p>
Where it thrives:<\/strong> Poor maintained areas, full sun or part shade. Gravelly to clay soils.<\/p>
How to identify Carolina geranium: <\/strong><\/p>
- Much-branched plant that typically stays under a foot tall. <\/li> <\/ul>
- Shredded leaves divided into five parts.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Small, pink or white five-petaled flowers.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Foliage may become red during autumn.<\/li> <\/ul>
5. Chicory (Cichorium intybus<\/em>)<\/span><\/h3>
![\"Chicory](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/AdobeStock_276190213-1.jpeg\")
Iwona<\/a> | Adobe Stock Free | Standard License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Chicory has bright blue flowers that don’t only line the roadsides throughout the state but they can also invade your lawn. <\/p>
Life cycle:<\/strong> Perennial<\/p>
Weed Type:<\/strong> Broadleaf<\/p>
Where it thrives:<\/strong> Dry, infertile conditions. <\/p>
How to identify chicory: <\/strong><\/p>
- Jagged, fleshy taproot with milky sap.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Rosette of leaves during the first year. <\/li> <\/ul>
- Toothed or lobed leaves of 3 to 10 inches long.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Erect stems sparsely leaved during the second year.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Numerous sky-blue flowers that bloom from mid-summer until the first frost in the fall. <\/li> <\/ul>
6. Common Chickweed (Stellaria media<\/em>)<\/span><\/h3>
![\"Common](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/1024px-Stellaria_media_3_RF.jpg\")
Robert Flogaus-Faus<\/a>t | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY 4.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Common chickweed quietly settles during the cooler months. Once it takes root, it thrives in the shady, moist areas around the base of shade trees, nestled in mulch, or in other damp, sheltered spots in your garden. <\/p>
Life cycle:<\/strong> Winter annual<\/p>
Weed Type:<\/strong> Broadleaf<\/p>
Where it thrives:<\/strong> Shaded, moist soils during cooler temperatures.<\/p>
How to identify common chickweed:<\/strong><\/p>
- It forms small, mounded patches of 3 to 7 inches tall. <\/li> <\/ul>
- Tiny smooth leaves in pairs opposite each other on the stem.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Pointed tips leaves with slightly toothed edges.<\/li> <\/ul>
- It produces white-to-pink flowers during early spring. <\/li> <\/ul>
- Five deeply divided petals flower that gives the appearance of ten petals.<\/li> <\/ul>
7. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale<\/em>)<\/span><\/h3>
![\"Closeup](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/AdobeStock_318279556-1.jpeg\")
zhang yongxin<\/a> | Adobe Stock Free | License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Dandelions pop up in Michigan lawns forming rosettes of leaves with bright yellow flowers. Though they might seem harmless, these resilient perennials can quickly take over, spreading their seeds far and wide with just a gust of wind.<\/p>
Life cycle:<\/strong> Perennial<\/p>
Weed type: <\/strong>Broadleaf<\/p>
Where it thrives: <\/strong>Sunny, shady, dry, or moist conditions.<\/p>
How to identify dandelions:<\/strong> <\/p>
- Basal rosette with deeply lobed leaves.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Leaves point back toward the center of the plant. <\/li> <\/ul>
- Ir produces a milky sap when leaves are broken.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Yellow flowers emerge on leafless hollow stems. <\/li> <\/ul>
- After blooming, the flowers transform into puffball seedheads. <\/li> <\/ul>
8. English Daisy<\/span><\/h3>
![\"Closeup](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/110496269_a471e92fb1_c-1.jpg\")
Dawn Endico<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> English daisy is a charm with its simple white and yellow flowers, but don\u2019t let its beauty fool you: this weed can quickly take over your lawn if left unchecked. <\/p>
Life cycle: <\/strong>Perennial<\/p>
Weed type: <\/strong>Broadleaf<\/p>
Where it thrives: <\/strong>Heavy, moist, and fertile soils. It tolerates low mowing heights.<\/p>
How to identify English daisy:<\/strong> <\/p>
- Solitary flowers on hairy, leafless stems. <\/li> <\/ul>
- Flowers have a yellow disk center surrounded by white-to-pink ray flowers. <\/li> <\/ul>
- Small, spoon-shaped leaves that grow from a central rosette. <\/li> <\/ul>
9. Giant Foxtail (Setaria faberi<\/em>)<\/span><\/h3>
![\"Closeup](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/3136959920_e502b46943_c-1.jpg\")
lcm1863<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY-ND 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Giant foxtail germinates in the spring and spreads its seeds by mid to late summer. This annual grass weed can quickly take over, especially in fertile soils, and while it may look unassuming at first, it can become a problem if not managed properly.<\/p>
Life cycle: <\/strong>Annual<\/p>
Weed type: <\/strong>Grass<\/p>
Where it thrives: <\/strong>Highly disturbed turfgrass areas, especially rich in phosphorus soils. Fertile environments. <\/p>
How to identify giant foxtail:<\/strong> <\/p>
- It grows in clumps.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Shallow, fibrous root system. <\/li> <\/ul>
- Short hairs on the upper leaf surface and hairy ligules.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Hairless stems. <\/li> <\/ul>
- Large, nodding seed head that resembles a foxtail. <\/li> <\/ul>
10. Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea<\/em>)<\/span><\/h3>
![\"Ground](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/4575015491_bbc04dbf8c_c-1.jpg\")
Marco Hebing<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Ground ivy, also known as “creeping Charlie,” uses stolons, to expand its territory, making dense mats that outcompete your turfgrass. It is a challenging weed to control once it establishes itself.<\/p>
Life cycle:<\/strong> Perennial<\/p>
Weed Type:<\/strong> Broadleaf<\/p>
Where it thrives:<\/strong> Moist, well-fertilized, shady areas. <\/p>
- Large, nodding seed head that resembles a foxtail. <\/li> <\/ul>
- Hairless stems. <\/li> <\/ul>
- Short hairs on the upper leaf surface and hairy ligules.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Shallow, fibrous root system. <\/li> <\/ul>
- It grows in clumps.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Small, spoon-shaped leaves that grow from a central rosette. <\/li> <\/ul>
- Flowers have a yellow disk center surrounded by white-to-pink ray flowers. <\/li> <\/ul>
- Solitary flowers on hairy, leafless stems. <\/li> <\/ul>
- After blooming, the flowers transform into puffball seedheads. <\/li> <\/ul>
- Yellow flowers emerge on leafless hollow stems. <\/li> <\/ul>
- Ir produces a milky sap when leaves are broken.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Leaves point back toward the center of the plant. <\/li> <\/ul>
- Basal rosette with deeply lobed leaves.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Five deeply divided petals flower that gives the appearance of ten petals.<\/li> <\/ul>
- It produces white-to-pink flowers during early spring. <\/li> <\/ul>
- Pointed tips leaves with slightly toothed edges.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Tiny smooth leaves in pairs opposite each other on the stem.<\/li> <\/ul>
- It forms small, mounded patches of 3 to 7 inches tall. <\/li> <\/ul>
- Numerous sky-blue flowers that bloom from mid-summer until the first frost in the fall. <\/li> <\/ul>
- Erect stems sparsely leaved during the second year.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Toothed or lobed leaves of 3 to 10 inches long.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Rosette of leaves during the first year. <\/li> <\/ul>
- Jagged, fleshy taproot with milky sap.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Foliage may become red during autumn.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Small, pink or white five-petaled flowers.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Shredded leaves divided into five parts.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Much-branched plant that typically stays under a foot tall. <\/li> <\/ul>
- Pink-magenta flower head on each stem with spines at the base of flowers. <\/li> <\/ul>
- Single, erect stem that branches out. <\/li> <\/ul>
- Hairy leaves.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Long alternate leaves with sharp spines at the tip and midrib.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Low-lying rosette of leaves its first year, stems during the second year.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Clusters of tiny, white flowers at the top of the spikes. <\/li> <\/ul>
- It produces leafless, slender spikes.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Leaves have 3 to 5 prominent parallel veins running through them.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Rosette of oval leaves against the ground. <\/li> <\/ul>
- Shallow taproot with small nodules.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Toothed stipules.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Dark, soiled seed pods.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Small, round, yellow flowers forming clusters. <\/li> <\/ul>
- 2. Broadleaf Plantain (Plantago major)<\/a><\/li>
- 1. Black Medic (Medicago lupulina)<\/a><\/li>