Top 20 Most Common Weeds in Portugal

Portugal's mild climate and fertile soils create a hospitable environment for a variety of garden weeds. Among the most common invaders challenging gardeners are Pokeweed, Common purslane, and Common sowthistle. These weeds compete with cultivated plants for resources and can be burdensome to control, making them persistent concerns in both agricultural and ornamental landscapes across the region.

Most Common Weeds

1. Pokeweed

Although its berries look juicy and tempting, the fruits and the root of pokeweed are toxic and should not be eaten. Pokeweed is considered a pest species by farmers but is nevertheless often grown as an ornamental plant. Its berries can be made into pokeberry ink as well.

Growth Rate:

Rapid

2. Common purslane

Portulaca oleracea, colloquially known as common purslane, is an annual succulent species with reddish stems and tiny yellow, five-petal flowers. It is used for culinary purposes in various parts of the world, most often raw, in salads. Common purslane is also a good companion plant for crops that thrive in moist soils.

Growth Rate:

Rapid

3. 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.

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4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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

7. Jimsonweed

Jimsonweed (Datura stramonium) is a species of nightshade plant native to Central America which is considered an invasive species in more temperate climates. It can be toxic if ingested in significant quantities. It has a distinctive, strong smell. The jimsonweed gets its common name from Jamestown, Virginia, where soldiers ingested the plants exhibited altered mental states afterward.

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. Pellitory of the wall

Pellitory of the wall (Parietaria judaica) is a species of flowering plant that is native to Europe, North Africa and parts of west Asia. It is an introduced species elsewhere in the world and is widely considered a weed. It proliferates in disturbed areas and is sometimes known as “asthma weed” because its pollen is an allergen for many people.

10. Purple amaranth

Purple amaranth (Amaranthus blitum) is an annual plant that often grows as a weed. It is not often cultivated, but some people around the world gather the leaves and stems to be eaten as boiled vegetables. It is particularly common in Greek and Lebanese kitchens.

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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.

15. 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

16. 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.

17. Small Nettle

Small Nettle (Urtica urens) is a herbaceous annual flowering nettle known by many common names. Small Nettle is also called the dog nettle or burning nettle because it "bites" when touching (in the same way as stinging nettle). Small Nettle is native to the Eurasian continent. Butterfly species feed on this plant.

18. Cheeseweed mallow

Cheeseweed mallow (Malva parviflora) is a plant species native to Europe, Asia, and Northern Africa. Cheeseweed mallow has a variety of other common names including Egyptian mallow, marshmallow, small-flowered mallow, and mallow. This species is naturalized in many places.

19. Lady's thumb

Persicaria maculosa is an annual plant that can grow up to 80 cm tall. It is native to Eurasia with a range from Iceland to Japan and has become an invasive species in North America. As it is considered a weed, it is almost never cultivated.

20. 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

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Portugal's warm Mediterranean climate, with wet winters and dry summers, creates propitious conditions for a variety of flora, including , , and . These conditions can favor the growth of toxic plants, some of which are indigenous and others that have adapted to the local landscape. With a rich biodiversity, Portugal’s environments, from coastal to inland regions, must be monitored for the prevalence of such hazardous flora.

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Spring in Portugal is a tapestry of blooming flora and mild, nurturing climates, ideal for awakening the luscious fruit. , with its sweet blossoms, , bursting with vibrant hues, and , a herald of freshness, reach their harvest, embodying the season's essence. Locals and aficionados alike savor these fruits, relishing the rejuvenating gifts of Portuguese springtimes.

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Most Common Plants

In Portugal, you can find Snake plant, Pepper, Jade plant, Swiss cheese plant, Florist kalanchoe, 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.