Carrot Weed (Cotula australis)

Table Showing Differences Between Common Weeds With Carrot Shaped Leaves.

• Cotula is often mistaken for Bindii and Swinecress because of its divided (carrot-like) hairy leaves.
• Swinecress has a skunk-like smell whilst Buttonweed has no odour.
• Annual Buttonweed produces pale yellow flowers on the end of stalks in early Winter. Bindii flowers much later, and the flowers have no flower stalks.

Carrot Weed Lifecycle.

• Germinates in the Spring or Autumn.
• Grows rapidly.
• Flowers in the late Winter to Spring.
• Dies back over the Summer.

Over the Autumn and the Spring, the seed germinates and then quickly grows. Then over the late Winter through to the Spring, it produces slender stems, and then flowers. The flower heads are button-like and yellow or white with no ‘petals’.

As the Summer closes in, the annual plants usually die. If they are perennials it is just the top growth that dies away.

Cultural and chemical options control Cotula or Annual Buttonweed.

• If Bachelor’s Button isn’t a major problem, you can remove it by hand. However, you must remove the entire root system to prevent any re-growth.
• Cotula favours damp, moist soils. So deal with any drainage issues and don’t over water.
• If the soil is compact, carry out a soil aeration program. This allows air exchange, and helps excess water move out of the rootzone.
• Feed your turf and use the right turf fertilizer. A thick turf cover makes it difficult for Cotula to compete as the turf grass chokes it out.
• Make sure that you mow at the right height, as this helps favour turf grass over this weed.