Australian Lawn and Turf Weed Identification Chart.
Identify lawn and turf weeds in Australia with this weed identification chart with photos and key visual traits. Compare weed pictures, names, and growth habit to confirm the species and then choose the correct control.
Aim to use the chart to match leaf shape, growth habit, and seed heads.
These weed identification pictures show common lawn and turf weeds in Australia to help you identify species by visual features.
Broadleaf Weeds.
Grass Weeds.
Sedges.
Weed Identification by Australian Region.
NSW lawn weeds.
In NSW lawns it is common to see a mix of cool and warm-season weed pressure. Broadleaf weeds such as bindii and cudweed are common in the winter, while the summer brings species like summer grass and spurge. Identification should take into account both the season and turf species.
NSW is in an overlap zone. These are strong performers here but these tend to not perform as well in the extremes of VIC or QLD.
- Fleabane (Conyza spp.).
- African lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula).
- Chloris (windmill grass).
- Paspalum (Paspalum dilatatum).
- Khaki weed (Alternanthera pungens).
- Bindii (Soliva sessilis).
- Crowsfoot (Eleusine indica).
- Nutgrass (Cyperus spp.).
- Mullumbimby couch (Cyperus brevifolius).
QLD Lawn Weeds.
In QLD conditions favour warm-season weeds all year-round. Caltrop, summer grass, and sedges are more persistent due to the higher temperatures and the longer growing seasons.
The list below are QLD-dominant weeds that are rare to find in VIC:
- Singapore daisy (Sphagneticola trilobata).
- Praxelis (Praxelis clematidea).
- Blue heliotrope / purpletop (Heliotropium amplexicaule).
- Stinkvine (Paederia foetida).
- Minnieroot (Ruellia tuberosa).
- Little ironweed (Cyanthillium cinereum).
- Paddy’s lucerne (Sida rhombifolia).
- Leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala).
- Siratro / purple bush bean (Macroptilium atropurpureum).
- Asian spiderflower (Cleome gynandra).
- Coatbuttons / tridax (Tridax procumbens).
- Gomphrena spp.
- Spiny burr grass / hedgehog grass (Cenchrus spp.).
VIV Lawn Weeds.
VIC lawns typically experience strong winter weed pressure. These include broadleaf weeds such as chickweed and plantain. Summer weeds do occur but these are generally less dominant than in the northern states. Identification of these weeds is often easier in active growth periods.
Rare or weak in QLD:
- Capeweed (Arctotheca calendula).
- Chickweed (Stellaria media).
- Mouse-ear chickweed (Cerastium glomeratum).
- Hairy bittercress / flickweed (Cardamine hirsuta).
- Ox-eye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare).
- Creeping buttercup (Ranunculus repens).
- Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale).
- Catsear (Hypochaeris radicata).
- Ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata).
- Curly dock (Rumex crispus).
FAQ
Where can I find free independent advice on weeds?
When you need support or guidance to manage weeds, you can reach out to various organizations that specialize in this field. Typically, you can find resources offered by government bodies, industry experts, research institutions, and community-based groups who deal with complex weed management issues.
A useful strategy is to look at dedicated online platforms or websites that compile contact information and links to these organizations. Many of these sites include a ‘connect’ section or similar directory where you can directly find tailored assistance.
If I can’t ID a weed with an online key what should I do?
When you are struggling to identify a weed using an online key, go over the features that you have chosen to focus and make sure they are correct. After you review your selections and you are still unsure about the weed’s identity, consider reaching out for additional assistance.
You can contact your local weeds officer, consult a herbarium, or seek guidance through a plant identification Facebook group or the iNaturalist platform. For contact details and useful links, refer to the Connect section of the online key.
What should I do if after I ID a weed and there is no chemical control?
In some cases weed ID leads to weeds where there are no easy chemical controls. If this occurs feel free to contact us to discuss your options.
Are there ways to ID weeds, such as Facebook groups like Plant ID Australia?
You have several options to identify weeds. For instance, you can use social media platforms where there are weed specific groups. Otherwise, community-based science apps offer resources where people come together to help identify various plant species based on the photos you upload.
How can I confirm the ID of a weed once I have made an initial ID?
A weed is only a weed if it’s a plant where you don’t want it.
Use the chart to make a preliminary identification, and then cross-reference the information and images of the plant to make sure its accurate. If you’re still uncertain, double-check the features you have selected. Should doubts persist, reach out to local experts like a weeds officer or participate in plant ID groups online.
Additionally, if there’s a chance you’ve identified a high priority weed, it’s important to notify the relevant authority immediately.
What is the best way to manage weeds in lawns?
The best way to manage weeds is to stop them in the first place. A healthy, thick lawn stop many weeds from getting a foothold. Weeds are great opportunists so if your lawn is weak and struggles to grow, there are thin patches or the soil is compact, weeds will invade.
If weeds still continue to be a problem then use pre emergent herbicides. These stop weeds from growing and vary in longevity from 10 weeks to 8 months. This means that you can apply once and have no weed issues.
It is important to remember though, that you need to know what the weed is that you want to control. Not all pre emergents work well against all weeds.
Why is weed control important?
In agriculture weeds are a major problem as they dramatically reduce yields. In a turf situation we generally don’t deal in yield but weeds will limit turf growth by taking valuable nutrients and water away from the grass.
Weed control in couch lawns
What can I use to kill weeds in my lawn without killing the grass?
Jerry Spencer
Jerry has an Hons Degree in Soil Science (1988) from Newcastle Upon Tyne University. He then worked as a turf agronomist for the Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI) until 1993.
He gained a Grad Dip in Business Management from UTS in 1999. He has held a number of technical roles for companies such as Arthur Yates (Commercial Technical Manager) and Paton Fertilizers (Organic, turf specialty and controlled release fertiliser) portfolios.
In 2013 he established Gilba Solutions as independent sports turf consultants and turf agronomists. Jerry has written over 100 articles and two books on a wide range of topics such as Turf Pesticides and turfgrass Nutrition which have been published in Australia and overseas.