We may notice lots of new plants while gardening or jogging around the garden. Have you ever seen some plants that are irrelevant to the central crops and evolving voluntarily? They are known as weeds, and let's know some weeds with their characters.
1. Cynodon dactylon :
Commonly known as Bermuda grass is a perennial grassy weed with a deep root system. It reproduces by scaly rhizomes, flat stolen and seeds. It can survive to 7 months by being dormant and is highly resistant to alkalinity and drought. Furthermore, it competes with main crops for space and nutrients. The grass is exploited in landscaping, while the grass juice is used as astringent.
2.Cyperus rotundus :
Commonly known as Nutgrass is an invasive sedge that is considered one of the world's worst weeds. It regenerates from underground tubers and rhizomes. The tubers remain viable in the soil for nearly 7 years. As an invasive species, it damages the local ecosystem by intruding on the growth of native species. The competition between the main crop and these weeds causes substantial yield loss. It has been traditionally used as medicine and helps in soil binding.
3.Parthenium hysterophorus:
Commonly known as congress weed is an annual broad-leaved herbaceous weed. It is highly notorious for its wide adaptability and seed-producing ability. It is insensitive to light and temperature. It exhibits allelopathy. Also, it induces asthma in humans and is lethal to cattle.
4.Tribulus Terrestris :
Commonly known as puncture vine due to its spiny fruits is an annual broad-leaved herb. It exhibits great competition to crops in dry conditions, as it can drag moisture from great depth. It multiplies mainly by seeds and is dispersed either naturally or by agricultural practices. Due to the presence of nitrate, it may be toxic to cattle, especially sheep.
5.Prosopis juliflora :
It is an exotic small tree with sharp thorns that is highly prolific and invasive. The seeds may remain viable for more than 10 years. The deepest known roots lead to the complete loss of grasslands and pastures around. Sweet pods serving as livestock fodder may become toxic to cattle when feeding in excess due to the presence of neurotoxic alkaloids. It is hard and expensive to eradicate these weeds. Yet, it can be used as fuelwood.
6.Achyranthes Aspera :
It is a wild perennial herb that is pantropical. It is a noxious weed for long cycle crops such as cotton & cassava, and shaded pasture. Besides, it is a medical plant comprising beta-carotene, vitamin C, and calcium. For goats, it is a diuretic.
7.Calotropis gigantic :
It is a large shrub that comes under broad-leaved weeds. Roots, barks, and milk of the stem are used as medicine. The milky stem is exploited in the treatment of leprosy and ringworm. The leaves are used in paralyzed parts and painful joints. Yet, this thick milky juice is harmful to cattle and allergic to humans.
8.Euphorbia hirta :
Commonly known as the asthma plant, it is an annual hairy herb known for its medicinal properties. The seeds have no dormancy and have a high germination rate, making them extremely difficult to weed out by manual weeds. In addition, the latex from the stem causes skin irritation in humans.
9.Phyllanthus niruri:
It is an annual herb multiplied by seeds. Though it is pantropical in dispersion, it is a bothersome weed in wetland farming alone. And it does not thrive well in dry zones. It holds an important place in Ayurveda and Unani for its hepatoprotective function.
10.Oxalis corniculata :
Commonly known as creeping wood sorrel is an annual herb that is naturally found all over the world. Though its existence does not cause much economic loss, it is highly prolific. It has been used for culinary purposes due to its medicinal values.
These are few commonly available weeds around us. Hope you all get some new facts and data about weeds. Not all plants are weeds, and not all weeds are harmful.
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