Weed ID

COMMON CRUPINA

Asteraceae or Sunflower Family
Crupina vulgaris

GROWTH HABIT: Winter annual, grows from 1 to 3 feet tall.

LEAVES: Fleshy leaves of the rosette are oval-shaped, with the widest part near the tip, and have distinct purple midribs.

STEMS: Alternate stem leaves become smaller toward the stem apex. The one main flowering stem can reach 1 to 3 feet tall and may branch several times.

FLOWERS: One to five inch long flower heads may develop at the tip of the branches or in the upper leaf axils. Flowers are narrow, three to four times as long as wide, and rose to purple in color. Flowers during May and June.

ROOTS: Taproots reach a depth of 35 inches in four months when grown in full sun.

SEEDS: A ring of dark, stiff bristles encircle the wide end of the seed, giving it the appearance of a fly-fishing fly. A plant produces 2 to 23 seeds per plant in summer that remain viable up to 32 months.

REPRODUCES: By seed.

HABITAT: Sandy or loamy soils that are well drained and slightly acidic. Precipitation where this weed occurs is 15 to 30 inches between elevations of 1,000 and 3,200 feet.

"These seeds resemble fly-fishing flies"