Remove this invasive plant with these tips

Principal of The School of Garden Design, Lindsay Gray, (082 44 99 237) info@schoolofgardendesign.com, tells gardeners how to identify and get rid of the invasive American chickweed.

THIS is the third year in which the invasive weed, Drymeria cordata subs. cordata, commonly known as tropical or American chickweed, is making gardeners’ lives a misery.

Due to its efficient means of spreading via clothing, mowing equipment and animal fur, it can now be found all over verges and in public spaces, in addition to residential gardens, and people want to know how to get rid of it.

It is not to be confused with our common chickweed, Stellaria media, which is a nutrient-packed, edible annual much enjoyed by poultry and used in herbal medicines.

Identifiable difference

Chickweed – common chickweed, Stellaria media, is a compact plant with five-petaled flowers that makes its appearance in autumn/early winter.

Each petal is deeply lobed, creating the impression that there are ten petals, and not five, on each flower.

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It has a line of hairs along one side of its stems and the leaves have are compactly arranged at short intervals on the stem. If you own poultry, this little plant is a great green snack for them.

Tropical chickweed – this plant, Drymeria cordata, has hairless stems and the opposite leaves are arranged at wide intervals on the slight stems.

This is key to identification of the plant. To the untrained eye, tropical chickweed looks spindly and covers wide areas of ground.

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When the flower buds appear, they are clustered loosely on long stalks. In a certain light, the plant appears to be covered with dew or snow, hence one of its common name “white snow”.

The flowers have five narrow green sepals (3-5 mm long) that are covered with sticky (i.e. glandular) hairs that attach themselves to everything!

Control methods

Foliar spray: A broadleaf herbicide spray containing MPCA is the most efficient method of getting rid of this weed in lawns and open spaces.

Mix the preparation strictly according to the package insert and repeat the spray two weeks later if necessary.

However, bear in mind that all herbicides are systemic and must not come into contact with the skin, including pet’s paws.

Once it has dried completely, it is safe to walk on the lawn, but this is a decision that homeowners need to make regarding the safety of their family and pets.

Hand-weeding: If you aren’t keen to use a herbicide on your property, then you need to weed this problem plant by hand.

First, get rid of the seeds in sections by tearing them off the plant and depositing them into a dustbin bag where they can start to decompose and be discarded with your household waste.

Then the roots must be forcibly removed as they are quite stubborn.

Before mowing your lawn, again strip the seeds off the plant so that they do not get stuck on the equipment or caught up in the lawn clippings.

If a garden service cuts your lawn, they must be requested to check their brush-cutters before cutting your lawn and afterwards as well.

As with any weed that adheres to clothing and animal fur, it is important to eradicate this plant as it makes its appearance.

Every seed that is left unchecked will result in the growth of a new plant.

It is going to be an ongoing battle for gardeners and conservationists unfortunately, so we all need to remain vigilant.

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