Top 20 Most Common Weeds in Spain

Spain's warm Mediterranean climate fosters the growth of numerous garden weeds, exploiting the region's long sunlit days and mild winters. Amongst these, Common purslane, Orchard grass, and Field bindweed are particularly notorious for invading gardens, thriving in the fertile soils and challenging gardeners with their persistent spread. Effective control methods are essential to manage these common weeds, which can otherwise outcompete native species and dominate landscapes.

Most Common Weeds

1. 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

2. 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

3. 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.

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4. 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

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. Common St. John's wort

Common St. John's wort (*Hypericum perforatum*) is a plant species that is native to Europe and Central Asia. Common St. John's wort is considered poisonous to livestock and can cause problems for humans if consumed. This dense, fast-growing plant has been introduced to North America and Australia, where it is often viewed as an invasive species.

Growth Rate:

Moderate

7. 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.

8. Mouse Barley

Mouse Barley is not an actual cereal grain as its name implies, but instead is a species of grass. It is an important crop in pastures and can provide significant nutrition for foraging livestock. Mouse Barley can grow to 30 cm in height.

9. Milk thistle

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is a biennial thistle that has white-mottled blossoms. The common name references the appearance of these blossoms, which look like they have been doused in milk. It grows up to 1.8 m tall. This species is often cultivated as an ornamental plant.

10. 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.

11. 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

12. 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.

13. Common bird's-foot trefoil

Common bird's-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) is a common flowering perennial plant that grows widely throughout Europe and North America. Commercially, it is often added to livestock feed to prevent bloating. In Britain, common bird's-foot trefoil is often referred to as "butter and eggs" due to its flowering appearance and golden color. It attracts bumblebees and is considered an invasive species in North America and Australia.

14. Common groundsel

Common groundsel (Senecio vulgaris) is an annual flowering herb that is related to daisies. Though the flowers resemble immature dandelions, they never "open" the way those other yellow flowers do. Canaries and finches are particularly fond of this plant's seeds and the larvae of several moth species eat the greens. Common groundsel is toxic to humans and some livestock.

Growth Rate:

Rapid

15. 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

16. 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

17. Common vetch

Common vetch (Vicia sativa) is an annual herb plant also commonly called vetch, tare, and garden vetch. It is often considered a weed, but is also utilized for manure and animal feed for livestock across the world. When grown for agricultural purposes, it is sown in dense fields.

Growth Rate:

Rapid

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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.

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Spain's diverse climate, ranging from Mediterranean to semi-arid and oceanic, creates habitats conducive to various plant species, including toxic ones. The presence of , , and underlines the prevalence of hazardous flora. These plants thrive across different regions, reflecting a broader environmental concern for public safety and wildlife exposure to plant toxicity.

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