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Pigweed
Also known as: Red goosefoot
Pigweed (*Oxybasis rubra*) is an annual herb with red-tinged leaves and fruit that is also called coast line goosefoot, red goosefoot and red pigweed. It blooms from late summer to early fall with small, green flowers. Fruits follow flowers and are red and very noticeable.
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Annual
Lifespan
Herb
Plant Type
Late summer, Early fall
Bloom Time
60 cm
Plant Height
20 cm
Spread
Green, Blue, Red
Leaf Color
20 - 38 ℃
Ideal Temperature
Spring, Summer
Growth Season
Rapid
Growth Rate

Images of Pigweed

Attributes of Pigweed

Growth Rate
During Spring and Summer, pigweed manifests a rapid growth rate. This expeditious growth leads to prolific leaf production and significant height increase, manifesting as a sudden abundance of foliage. This rapid period of growth may also spur quick cycles of flowering and seeding. Interestingly, in colder seasons, growth rate slows considerably, demonstrating pigweed's aptitude for optimal use of warm seasons.

Distribution of Pigweed

Distribution Map
Pigweed is a plant with a broad native range spanning across parts of Northern, Central, and Eastern Europe, extending into Western Asia and reaching as far east as Mongolia and Central Asia. Additionally, this species has been introduced to regions in North America, establishing a transatlantic extension of its presence.
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Introduced
No species reported
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Habitat
Gardens, manure heaps, ports, rubbish tips, sugar beet fields
Hemisphere Trend Curve

Weed Control

Pigweed originates from North America, but it has spread widely across the globe due to its prolific nature. This plant is regarded as a weed due to its aggressive and hardy characteristics. Its small seeds are quickly dispersed and germinated, making it highly invasive and difficult to control. Pigweed is equipped with a robust root system that allows it to outcompete other plants for resources, causing significant harm to gardens. Even in unfavorable conditions, this weed can thrive and spread rapidly, choking out desirable plant species. It has a strong resistance to many common herbicides, adding to the challenge of managing it. The main means of dispersion for pigweed is by seed. Each plant can produce thousands of seeds that can be easily carried by wind, water, and animals, and can remain viable in the soil for several years.
How to Control It
The best season for removal of pigweed is late spring or early summer, its prime growing season. It's important to catch this plant before it reaches the seed-producing stage to prevent further spread. Here are five methods to control it:
  1. Hand pulling: Using gardening gloves, grasp pigweed close to the ground and pull upwards. Ensure to remove all roots to prevent re-growth.
  2. Hoeing: Sharpen a standard garden hoe and cut pigweed at its base. Do this on a dry, sunny day to ensure the chopped plants dry and die off.
  3. Use of cover crops: Planting a cover crop like clover or rye can inhibit growth of pigweed by out-competing it for nutrients and sunlight.
  4. Mulching: Apply a thick layer of organic mulch around your plants to suffocate pigweed and prevent its germination.
  5. Use of vinegar solution: Mix a solution of 10% vinegar to water. Spray it on the leaves of pigweed on a dry, sunny day. This will gradually kill the plant.
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Care Guide for Pigweed

Every week
Water
Full sun
Sunlight
20 - 38 ℃
Ideal Temperature
Water: Originating from areas with weekly rainfall, pigweed thrives on consistent moisture, benefiting from weekly watering. As an adaptable herbaceous plant, pigweed is often grown outdoors to utilize natural rain patterns and adjust its growth cycle based on water availability.
Propagation: Pigweed grows best when seeds are sown in moist, well-drained soil. Prepare the area by loosening soil and removing weeds. Sow seeds beneath the surface and cover lightly. Regular watering aids germination, while thinning seedlings prevents overcrowding for optimal growth.
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