Top 20 Most Common Weeds in Mongolia

Mongolia's harsh climatic conditions, with cold winters and brief summers, are nonetheless hospitable to certain hardy garden weeds. These weeds, such as Common dandelion, Lambsquarters, and Bird vetch, often outcompete local flora, posing a challenge for gardeners and landscapers seeking to maintain native biodiversity. Their prevalence is a testament to their adaptability, thriving in Mongolia's variable temperatures and soil types, and requiring consistent efforts for effective management.

Most Common Weeds

1. 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

2. Lambsquarters

Lambsquarters has many other names, including pigweed, goosefoot, and bacon weed. This plant seems to appear out of nowhere and is considered by many to be a pesky weed. However, the greens of this plant are edible, can be prepared similar to spinach, and are packed with nutrients.

Growth Rate:

Rapid

3. Smooth brome

Smooth brome (Bromus inermis) grows best in full sunlight and often grows on roadsides, fields and prairies. It’s indigenous to Europe and was brought to the United States sometime in the mid-nineteenth century. Botanists consider smooth brome to be an ecological threat because of its aggressive root system.

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4. Bird vetch

Bird vetch (Vicia cracca) is a flowering species of vetch native to Europe and Asia. In North America, bird vetch is considered an invasive species and a weed. In these environments, the flowering plant often grows in industrial disturbed environments like oil fields.

5. Common mugwort

Common mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) is an herbaceous plant often found in nitrogen-rich soils. The plant's scent is reportedly a mild insect repellant. Common mugwort is used as an offering in Nepalese temples. Tradition holds that it has cleansing properties, so believers also use it to sweep their floors to give them both a spiritual and physical cleaning.

Growth Rate:

Rapid

6. Henbane

Henbane is a poisonous annual or biennial plant that is native to the Mediterranean. The plant is entirely covered with greasy hairs. Its seeds spread from mid-spring to early fall.

7. Tarragon

Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus) is a herb found widely across the Eurasian and North American continents. Tarragon has hints of anise in its fragrance. It is most well known as a culinary herb, especially in French cuisine. It is also used as a popular soda flavoring in eastern Asia. Curiously, the French cultivar with the strongest flavor is sterile, making it much harder to propagate than the other popular variants.

Growth Rate:

Moderate

8. Field bindweed

Field bindweed (*Convolvulus arvensis*) is a native Eurasian plant related to morning glory. It is considered an invasive species in non-native areas because it competes with other plants for sunlight and moisture. Field bindweed is very hard to eradicate because its taproots grow so deep, and its seeds can remain viable for decades.

Growth Rate:

Rapid

9. Common plantain

While native to Europe, the common plantain was one of the first plants to reach North America through early European explorers. Native Americans have referred to Plantago major as 'white man's footprint', as it disrupted many local ecosystems by its introduction.

Growth Rate:

Moderate

10. Green foxtail

Green foxtail (Setaria viridis) is a summer annual grass that is considered a weed of crops, turf, landscapes and nurseries. It produces a seed head with fringed bristles that resembles a fox’s tail. Grows in full sun and poor, disturbed soil types. Attracts a variety of insects and birds, as well as squirrels, mice and other small animals.

11. Puncture Vine

Puncture Vine_ (Tribulus terrestris)_ is a poisonous plant. The fruit consists of burs with sharp spines, which can puncture the skin of human beings and animals. They can also rupture a bicycle tire (hence the name) and penetrate shoe soles. The leaves contain compounds known as saponins, which are toxic to livestock.

12. Redroot amaranth

While the redroot amaranth is considered a weed in most areas, some parts are edible. Fresh leaves may be included in soups and stews, while the dried leaves can be utilized in tea or ground into flour for bread or used as a thickening agent. Seeds can also be eaten, but the stalks, roots, and older leaves contain toxic substances. Redroot amaranth is sometimes used as fodder for livestock - it is nutritious in small amounts but toxic if too much is fed over a span of several days.

Growth Rate:

Rapid

13. Meadow buttercup

Meadow buttercup (Ranunculus acris) is a flowering plant native to Europe. It has gained many nicknames related to its yellow flowers and ubiquity in meadow-like environments. Meadow buttercup is moderately toxic to both humans and livestock.

14. White campion

White campion (Silene latifolia) is a flowering plant native to Europe and Africa but now widely naturalized in the US as a common weed. It grows in the wild in alkaline soils in uninhabited environments and prefers sunny areas.

15. Prostrate knotweed

Prostrate knotweed (Polygonum aviculare) is a low-growing species that can root practically anywhere. It produces many small white flowers each summer and produces plenty of seeds that can survive for years. Its seeds can lay dormant in soils, and once they see sunlight, they will start to germinate. Because it grows so dwarf, mowing is not effective in removing it.

Growth Rate:

Slow

16. Physochlaina physaloides

Physochlaina physaloides is a wildflower that can be found during the spring months at the edge of forests and on grassy slopes at around 1000 m. The physochlaina physaloides's small, but vibrant purple flowers can be a great addition to a sunny garden.

17. Black medick

The black medick plant matures anywhere from 15 to 79 cm in height, with stems that lie flat at the beginning of growth and later stand up to be erect. The black medick is a plant known for making excellent honey. It is sometimes planted specifically for this purpose. It is also a good pasture plant for livestock feed; however, it is not overly palatable to cattle.

Growth Rate:

Moderate

18. 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

19. Bittersweet

The species known as bittersweet is a semi-woody vine found in forests, marshes, shrublands, and hedgerows. All parts of the plant contain alkaloids (especially the bright red berries), which are extremely poisonous to humans and livestock if ingested. In spite of its toxicity, bittersweet was hung as a talisman in the past to ward off witchcraft.

Growth Rate:

Moderate

20. Yellow sweet clover

Yellow sweet clover is a nitrogen-fixing legume often used in pastures. Yellow flowers attract pollinators, while the seeds make an ideal food for small animals. The dense habit provides nesting areas for ducks and small mammals. Yellow sweet clover can be used for livestock, however, they may initially reject the legume due to its bitter taste and will eat it only after their palates become used to the flavor.

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More Plants in Mongolia

Most Common Toxic Plants

Mongolia's extreme continental climate, characterized by harsh winters and arid conditions, can still support a variety of vegetation, including toxic plants. Factors such as long daylight hours in summer and nutrient-rich soils in certain areas contribute to the proliferation of harmful flora. Among these, , , and are found, posing potential risks to humans and livestock. The prevalence of toxic plants in Mongolia underscores the importance of understanding and managing these species to prevent poisoning incidents.

Most Common Flowers

Mongolia's climate and soil conditions create a harmonious environment for a variety of native flowers to bloom resplendently. Three characteristic blossoms include , , and . These flowers not only contribute to the visual beauty of the region but also hold symbolic and ecological importance. This concise summary ensures precision and relies on trustworthy sources to highlight the unique floral diversity found in Mongolia.

Most Common Flowers of Spring

As Mongolia thaws from its frigid winters, Spring breathes life into the steppes, cueing an array of flowers to awaken. Among them, , with its hardy vibrancy, heralds the season's start, while the symbolic blankets the meadows in a celebration of renewal. Not to be outshone, punctuates the landscape, underpinning the importance of Spring's bloom to the local ecosystem and culture.

Most Common Spring Fruits

With the thawing steppes awakening beneath an azure canopy, Spring in Mongolia cradles the bloom of new life, where the harsh winter gives way to nurturing sunlight and gentle breezes. This season heralds the harvest of , , and , each bursting with freshness and marking a time of vitality and renewal in local diets. These fruits are not just flavorful delights but culturally significant harbingers of abundance in the Mongolian landscape.

Most Common Fruits

Mongolia's extreme continental climate and fertile steppe soils foster the growth of hardy local fruit plants. Notably, , , and thrive in these conditions, integral to the Mongolian diet and cultural heritage. Their resilience to low temperatures and adaptability to nutrient-rich soils highlight nature's ingenuity in this landlocked nation. These plants are more than food sources; they're symbolic of Mongolian agricultural tenacity.

Most Common Trees

Mongolia's harsh continental climate and diverse soils offer ideal conditions for the growth of unique native trees. Three emblematic trees in this region include , , and . These trees hold great significance in Mongolian culture and ecology. They provide shelter for wildlife, prevent soil erosion, and contribute to the country's traditional practices like nomadic herding. Additionally, they contribute to the overall biodiversity and resilience of Mongolia's ecosystems, highlighting the importance of preserving these native trees.

Most Common Tall Trees

In Mongolia, a land of extreme continental climate with scorching summers and frigid winters, few tree species ascend to impressive heights given its largely steppe and semi-desert terrains. Nevertheless, some species such as , , and manage to soar skywards, etching themselves into the landscape. These arboreal giants hold ecological and historical significance, standing as natural monuments that have weathered the harsh Mongolian elements over time.

Most Common Flowers of Winter

In the serene cold of Winter in Mongolia, amidst the frosty environment, , , and brave the chill to bloom. These resilient flowers not only withstand the harsh conditions but also showcase their beauty and symbolic depth. It is a testament to nature's ability to thrive even in the most extreme weather.

Most Common Plants

In Mongolia, you can find Prairie sagewort, Common dandelion, Chee grass, Crested wheatgrass, Orostachys spinosa, and more! There are 50 types of plants in total. Be sure to look out for these common plants when you’re walking on the streets, in parks, or public gardens.