Perennial weeds (also known as persistent weeds) are plants that reproduce rapidly via roots, rhizomes, or stolons and are difficult to control. Among the most stubborn species are, for example,
field bindweed, couch grass, dandelions, sorrel, and many others. They often regenerate from even the smallest root remnants and require consistent mechanical removal.
The common dandelion is a perennial herbaceous plant that reproduces primarily by seed. t has a strong, deep-reaching taproot and preferentially grows in deep, nutrient-rich soils with high nitrogen levels. It is commonly found in meadows and pastures, as well as on other agricultural and non-agricultural land. It may also occur in multi-year forage crops. When abundant, its low-growing leaf rosette can shade and displace neighbouring plants. Its capacity to regrow enables the dandelion to withstand cutting and produce new growth afterwards.
Leaves: The leaves form a basal rosette close to the ground. They are elongated and usually toothed or deeply lobed.
Flower stalks: Leafless, hollow flower stalks emerge from the rosette.
Inflorescence: Each flower stalk bears a yellow, head-shaped inflorescence.
Fruits: After flowering, elongated, single-seeded fruits develop. Each fruit bears a parachute-like pappus.
Dispersal: The pappus enables the fruits to be dispersed by wind.
Milky latex: White milky latex is released when plant parts are broken or damaged.
Field thistle is a perennial herbaceous species with a deep-reaching root system and underground creeping roots
New shoots can develop from these roots, enabling the species to spread vegetatively
It also reproduces sexually by seed. It preferentially grows on heavy soils, such as clay soils, and on compacted sites
At high densities, it can impair crop yield formation and make harvesting more difficult
Stems: The plant develops upright, predominantly branched stems.
Leaves: The alternately arranged leaves vary in shape but are usually oblong to lance-shaped. Their margins are toothed or lobed, and the lobes often end in spines.
Inflorescences: The flowers are arranged in head-shaped inflorescences and are usually purple.
Fruits: The fruits bear a feathery pappus, which facilitates their dispersal by wind.
Field bindweed is a perennial, herbaceous plant. It has a deep-reaching taproot and an extensive system of lateral roots and underground creeping roots
Buds can form on the roots and produce new shoots. This enables the species to spread extensively by vegetative means; it also reproduces sexually by seed
Above-ground shoots grow along the ground or twine around neighbouring plants and other supports
In agricultural crops, field bindweed can overgrow crop plants and compete with them for light, water and nutrients
Dense stands can also make harvesting more difficult and cause yield losses
Stems: The stems are slender and usually branched. They either grow prostrate or twine around supports.
Leaves: The alternately arranged leaves are stalked and variable in shape. They are often ovate to arrow-shaped, with two outward-pointing lobes at the base.
Flowers: The flowers occur singly or in small numbers in the leaf axils. They are funnel-shaped and white, pink, or whitish with pink stripes.
Fruit: The fruit is a rounded to egg-shaped capsule containing several seeds.
Yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus) is a perennial herbaceous sedge. It uses C₄ photosynthesis and reproduces both vegetatively and sexually
Vegetative reproduction occurs via underground rhizomes (underground stems), which form tuberous swellings at their tips. These are known as nutsedge tubers or tiger nuts
Sexual reproduction occurs via seeds. The plant flowers from summer into autumn; seed development and maturation begin in late summer or autumn, depending on the location and weather conditions
Yellow nutsedge can grow in a range of soil types; however, saying that it has no soil requirements would be an overgeneralisation
In agricultural crops, it can compete with crop plants for water, nutrients and light.
Its underground rhizomes and tubers also make it difficult to control and promote its vegetative spread
Growth habit: Perennial herbaceous plant
Height: Usually about 10–60 cm
Stems: Erect, mostly leafless and smooth; distinctly triangular in cross-section
Leaves: Narrow and grass-like; mainly basal, flat to slightly keeled, and usually shorter than or approximately as long as the stem
Underground structures: Lateral rhizomes with tuberous swellings at their tips; these tubers are commonly called nutsedge tubers or tiger nuts
Inflorescence: Branched and umbel-like, borne at the tip of the stem and usually subtended by several leaf-like bracts
Flowers: Small and inconspicuous, arranged in spikelets
Fruits: Small, usually triangular, nut-like fruits, botanically known as nutlets
Field horsetail is a perennial, herbaceous vascular spore-producing plant in the horsetail family
It produces extensive, branching underground rhizomes, which allow it to spread vegetatively. Unlike flowering plants, it produces neither flowers nor seeds, but reproduces by spores
Field horsetail is found primarily in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere
Typical habitats include fields, roadsides, and other open, frequently disturbed areas. It grows in a variety of soil types
The above-ground shoots of the field horsetail are clearly divided into nodes and internodes
Underground rhizomes enable extensive vegetative spread
Fertile spring shoots are pale, brownish, and unbranched. A terminal, cone-shaped spore-bearing structure, called a strobilus, is located at the tip
After releasing their spores, these shoots die back. They differ clearly from the green, sterile shoots that appear later
Sterile shoots are upright, green, and photosynthetically active. Their length varies, but they commonly reach about 10–50 cm
The hollow main shoot has longitudinal ridges and is divided into nodes and internodes
At the nodes are small scale leaves fused into sheaths. Their free tips form a ring of narrow teeth
Whorls of lateral branches emerge from the same nodes
These branches are usually unbranched, clearly segmented, and also have sheaths at their nodes.
The shoots often feel rough, partly because of silica deposits in the outer tissue layer
Couch grass is a perennial herbaceous plant species belonging to the grass family
It is characterized by its extensive, creeping underground rhizomes, which store reserves and enable vegetative reproduction
Even small rhizome fragments can produce new shoots, provided they contain a viable bud. Couch grass also reproduces by seed
The species is widespread in Europe and Asia and has been introduced to other regions of the world
Typical habitats include arable fields, gardens, meadows, and roadsides. It prefers nutrient-rich, moderately moist soils
In agriculture and horticulture, couch grass is considered a persistent weed
because it competes with crops for water, nutrients, and light, and its high regenerative capacity makes it difficult to control
The plant typically reaches a height of approximately 30 to 120 cm. Its upright culms are divided by nodes
The alternately arranged leaves have narrow, flat blades, often with a rough upper surface
At the junction between the leaf sheath and the blade, there is a short, membranous ligule and small auricles that clasp the culm
The inflorescence is a slender spike. The multi-flowered spikelets are attached directly to the spike axis, with their broad sides facing it
The flowers are wind-pollinated, and the fruits are caryopses, typical of the grass family
In Central Europe, the flowering period is mainly between June and August
Curly dock is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the knotweed family (Polygonaceae). It usually reaches a height of 30 to 150 cm and has a strong taproot
Curly dock is native to Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia and has been introduced to many other regions worldwide
TTypical habitats include meadows, pastures, arable fields, and roadsides
Curly dock grows in nutrient-rich, fresh to moist soils and tolerates waterlogging and soil compaction
In agriculture, curly dock is a problematic perennial weed due to its high seed production, long seed persistence in the soil, and strong root system
It competes with crops for water, nutrients, and light, and its strong regenerative capacity makes it difficult to control
Curly dock usually reaches a height of 30 to 150 cm. The stem is upright, longitudinally grooved, mostly hairless, and branched in its upper part
The leaves are arranged alternately. The basal leaves have long petioles and an oblong to lanceolate blade
A characteristic feature is the strongly wavy to crinkled leaf margin. The stem leaves become smaller toward the top and have shorter petioles
At the base of the leaves is a membranous, stipular sheath that surrounds the stem, known as an ochrea
The initially greenish perianth consists of six tepals. As the fruit matures, the three inner tepals enlarge to form valves that enclose the fruit
These valves are broadly ovate to rounded-heart-shaped and have largely entire margins. At least one valve usually bears a prominent, callus-like thickening
The fruit is a small, shiny brown, three-angled achene. As it matures, the entire fruiting inflorescence often turns reddish-brown to dark brown
The blunt-leaved dock is a perennial, herbaceous plant in the knotweed family. It typically grows to a height of 30 to 150 cm and has a strong taproot. blunt-leaved dock is native to Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia and has been introduced to many other regions worldwide. Typical habitats include meadows and pastures, farm fields, and along roadsides. Blunt-leaved dock grows in nutrient-rich, fresh to moist soils and tolerates waterlogging and soil compaction. In agriculture, blunt-leaved dock is problematic as a perennial weed due to its high seed production, long persistence in the soil, and vigorous root system. because it competes with crops for water, nutrients, and light, and its high regenerative capacity makes control difficult.
Blunt-leaved dock usually reaches a height of 30 to 150 cm. The stem is upright, longitudinally grooved, mostly hairless, and branched in its upper part. The leaves are arranged alternately. The basal leaves have long petioles and a broad, ovate to oblong leaf blade. Characteristic features are the usually heart-shaped leaf base and the blunt leaf tip. The leaf margin is largely entire and slightly wavy. The stem leaves become smaller and narrower towards the top and have shorter petioles. At the base of each leaf is a membranous stipular sheath that surrounds the stem, known as an ochrea. The small, mostly bisexual flowers are arranged in whorl-like groups that together form a branched, panicle-like inflorescence. The initially greenish perianth consists of six tepals. As the fruit matures, the three inner tepals enlarge to form valves that enclose the fruit. These valves are ovate to triangular and have prominent, often elongated teeth along their margins. Usually, one of the three valves bears a conspicuous, callus-like thickening. The fruit is a small, shiny brown, three-angled achene. As it matures, the entire fruiting inflorescence often turns reddish-brown to dark brown.
Creeping buttercup is a herbaceous perennial in the buttercup family and is widespread in Europe. Typical habitats include damp meadows and pastures, ditches, riverbanks, gardens, and arable fields. Creeping buttercup prefers nutrient-rich, moist to wet soils that are often compacted. In agriculture, creeping buttercup is a persistent weed. Fresh plant parts are poisonous. When the plant tissue is damaged, the irritant protoanemonin is produced. It can cause skin irritation and, if ingested, irritation of the mouth and gastrointestinal tract, among other symptoms.
Creeping buttercup is a herbaceous perennial that grows to a height of approximately 10–50 cm. It produces creeping, above-ground runners that root at the nodes and give rise to new daughter plants. The flowering stems are erect to ascending, branched, and may be hairy. The leaves are arranged alternately. The long-stalked basal leaves usually have a blade divided into three leaflets. The individual leaflets are lobed to deeply cut, with irregularly toothed margins. A characteristic feature is the distinctly stalked central leaflet. The upper stem leaves are smaller and have shorter petioles or are sessile. The flowers are bisexual and radially symmetrical, measuring approximately 2–3 cm in diameter. They usually consist of five hairy sepals and five glossy, golden-yellow petal. The sepals lie against the petals and are not reflexed downwards. At the base of each petal is a nectar pit covered by a small scale. Numerous stamens and free carpels are located at the centre of the flower. The fruit is an aggregate of numerous small, flattened achenes. Each achene has a short, slightly curved beak.
Hedge bindweed is a perennial, herbaceous climbing plant belonging to the bindweed family (Convolvulaceae). It is widespread in Central Europe and commonly grows along fences, hedges, riverbanks, and damp roadsides. Hedge bindweed prefers nutrient-rich, moderately moist to wet soils in sunny to partially shaded locations. It spreads both by seeds and by underground rhizomes. This enables it to form dense stands and regrow after its above-ground shoots have been removed. However, the plant can become problematic because of its vigorous spread and twining growth habit. It overgrows other plants and is difficult to remove permanently due to its persistent rhizomes.
Root system: Branched and creeping, producing new above-ground shoots each year.
Stems: Thin, usually unbranched, and climbing; they twine around nearby plants or other supports.
Leaves: Arranged alternately and borne on long stalks. The leaf blades are usually arrow-shaped to heart-shaped, with two lateral lobes pointing outward.
Flowers: Large, predominantly white, funnel-shaped, and borne singly in the leaf axils. The five petals are fused.
Bracts: Two conspicuous, broad bracts surround the calyx and largely conceal it.
Fruits: Pollinated flowers may develop into rounded capsule fruits containing few seeds. Fruit production is not always prominent.
