Fleabane

Botanical name: Conyza spp.

Description
Fleabane is a summer annual that sometimes occurs during the winter months. It is a tall growing dicot with a tough, hairy stem which becomes harder and of a woody consistency as the plant matures. Leaves are alternately arranged and are dark green in colour with toothed margins and fine hairs coating the surface. When immature or when existing in closely mown turf the fleabane plant initially appears as a flat, rosette like weed, however as it matures the stem lengthens with leaves forming around the entirety of the stem.

In spring and autumn large clumps of flowers will form around the top of the tall stem, forming fluffy clusters as seeds begin to form. An extremely difficult to control weed due to its tough woody nature and hairy leaves. Often found growing in turf or in sandy or disturbed soils