Top 20 Most Common Weeds in Australia

Australia's warm climate and rich biodiversity provide fertile ground for a variety of garden weeds. Prolific nuisances like Common sowthistle, Ribwort plantain, and Black nightshade readily infest local landscapes, challenging gardeners and conservationists alike. These common weeds, owing to their fast growth and resilience, often outcompete native flora, demanding regular and strategic management to curb their spread and mitigate their impact on domestic as well as wild Australian environments.

Most Common Weeds

1. Common sowthistle

Common sowthistle is a common weed originated in Europe and West Asia. Alongside many sister species that hard to distinguish, it is considered to be an invasive plant in many parts of the world. Its leaves with some bitter taste are editable either green as a part of a salad or cooked in various ways.

2. Ribwort plantain

Ribwort plantain grows in a number of different habitats as long as it has enough sunlight. Its leaves have characteristic parallel veins that make it easy to identify. The heads of ribwort plantains get popped off in some common British children's games. Its seeds are critical food sources for songbirds, and its leaves are eaten by rabbits and deer.

3. Bull thistle

Bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare) is a thistle plant native to Europe, Africa, and Asia. Bull thistle produces a large amount of nectar and attracts pollinators. Bull thistle is considered a noxious weed in areas of Europe and Australia.

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4. Black nightshade

Black nightshade (Solanum nigrum) is a highly toxic plant and caution should be exercised around this plant. It's said that black nightshade fruits can technically be consumed if they are fully ripe and properly cooked and prepared. Generally though, due to the danger they present, no one would ever want to try to eat this plant.

5. Panic veld grass

Panic veld grass is an invasive species of grass that originated in Southern Africa. In most countries today it is considered a weed. This is a perennial species that typically reaches heights of30 to 50 cm. In perfect conditions, it has been known to grow even larger, up to2 m in height.

6. Common chickweed

The common chickweed gets its name due to the fact that chickens love to eat it, though they're not alone in that respect. Though it's often considered a nuisance weed, most parts of this plant can be consumed raw or cooked and used similar to spinach. The saponins in common chickweed are slightly toxic but will only have an effect if ingested in huge quantities.

Growth Rate:

Rapid

7. Yorkshire Fog

Yorkshire Fog (*Holcus lanatus*) is a perennial grass that grows in dense stands and sometimes inhibits the growth of other naturally occurring grasses. Yorkshire Fog is a prolific seed producer. Its seeds are dispersed by wind and lawnmowers, allowing new growth in different locations. Yorkshire Fog tolerates cold temperatures, but it is intolerant to frost.

8. Dallis grass

Dallis grass (Paspalum dilatatum) is a grass that could serve as a food source for many birds - particularly the long-tailed widowbird. On the stalks grow prodigious numbers of seeds, which enable its fast spread. Dallis grass is considered an invasive species in many places outside its home range. Once established, it is very hard to eradicate.

Growth Rate:

Moderate

9. Water hyacinth

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is a fast-growing flowering plant species with ovular, waxy leaves. Water hyacinth is listed as a federal noxious weed in the United States. This species is invasive to ponds, lakes, rivers and other wetland habitats. It forms dense, floating mats of vegetation that restricts light to underwater environments.

Growth Rate:

Rapid

10. Sticky chickweed

Sticky chickweed is a weedy annual found in many different habitats. It often grows in disturbed and well-drained soils. Sticky chickweed flowers in spring but dies back as the summer months heat up. A single stalk may bloom as many as 50 flowers at a time.

Growth Rate:

Moderate

11. Orchard grass

Orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata) is native to Eurasia and was introduced to North America around the 18th century as a forage grass. Now it is widely naturalized in the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand. It is also called "cat grass" because our feline friends love to chew on it.

Growth Rate:

Rapid

12. Common dandelion

*Taraxacum officinale*, widely known as common dandelion, is a herbaceous perennial that can be found in temperate regions all over the world, in habitats with moist soils. The most popular feature of this plant is its fruits, furry spheres that are easily carried by the wind. Although it is generally considered a weed, common dandelion is actually edible and very nutritious.

Growth Rate:

Rapid

13. Creeping woodsorrel

Creeping woodsorrel (Oxalis corniculata) is a flowering herb which grows aggressively. The leaves have a lemony flavor and are often made into tea that's rich in vitamin C. However, if ingested in large amounts the oxalic acid for which the genus is named can begin to block the body's calcium absorption.

14. Curly dock

Rumex crispus, commonly known as curly dock, is a perennial plant that grows in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. It is a very adaptable plant, flourishing in a variety of different habitats including roadsides, the edges of woodlands, meadows, and shorelines. Some moth species like to lay their eggs on curly dock leaves.

Growth Rate:

Moderate

15. Arrowleaf sida

Arrowleaf sida (Sida rhombifolia) is a perennial plant with delicate yellow blooms on stiff, almost woody stems. The stems are used to make brooms, giving it the common name "broom jute." It is also used to make cord and twine.

16. Rescuegrass

Rescuegrass (Bromus catharticus) is a short-lived grass species that is often considered a weed. The name rescuegrass comes the reputation of this species to save animals from food shortages. This plant is indigenous to South America. It was originally imported to North America for feeding livestock. It’s also known as “Schrader’s Bromegrass.”

17. Petty spurge

Petty spurge (Euphorbia peplus) is an annual plant from Europe, Asia, and Africa. It is fast-growing and has become invasive in some countries because it outcompetes other species for resources such as moisture and sunlight. Petty spurge latex is mildly toxic, has nevertheless attracted the attention of researchers in the US and Germany who hope to isolate useful compounds from it.

Growth Rate:

Rapid

18. Moth plant

Moth plant (Araujia sericifera) is a perennial vine native to South America. Moth plant has been introduced around the world. This species is used as a food source for monarch butterflies, although it is not their preferred food.

Growth Rate:

Rapid

19. Cleavers

Cleavers are widely-distributed weeds found around the world. They grow many nearly invisible hook-shaped spines on their stems. These make the plant feel sticky to the skin, and can cause contact dermatitis in some individuals. Cleavers come from the same family as coffee and can be used to create a less caffeinated version of coffee.

Growth Rate:

Rapid

20. Spiny sowthistle

The spiny sowthistle is considered a noxious and invasive weed in many areas. Its flowers resemble those of a dandelion and its leaves, although covered in spines, are edible. This plant can grow up to 1.8 m and sap that resembles milk will leak out of the leaves and stem if they are broken or cut.

Growth Rate:

Rapid

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