The recent killing frost in most of panhandle Florida, except places adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico, has removed annual weeds. The low temperatures and freezing water vapor ruptured their cells, permanently ending their life.
The few that remain partially erect appear as broken sticks. Tan to black in color, their fragile appearance predicts their eminent demise and return to the soil.
Some perennial weeds have the same delicate appearance, but their root system is still thriving. To paraphrase “The Terminator”, they’ll be back.
The lanky weed commonly known as Dogfennel is one such perennial.
Dogfennel may appear dead, but the root system is already preparing for next spring’s burst of growth. Many perennial weeds look like their life has ended, but reality is quite different. Winter is a good time to dig out these problem species, but make sure to do a complete job.
This time of year, Eupatorium capillifolium, as this plant is botanically known, may be seven feet in height with several stems which fork from a sturdy and securely rooted base. The main stem still has tiny branches with dead foliage.
Fallow fields, road shoulders, and other disturbed sites in the full sun are ideal spots for dogfennel to be found. The numerous insects and spiders which use this plant for a variety of purposes are not active in the winter.
However, upon close examination at the base of this plant, green leaves are present. While the old stems will decay, the new foliage is already preparing for the warm season to come.
There are several members in the Rubus genus, which includes blackberry and dewberry species, native to the region. Their rhizomatous root systems are perennial, while the above-ground canes are biennial, living for only two years.
Blackberries are commonly found in or close to untended fence rows, ditch banks, and pastures. Each plant is supported by a large lateral-growing root system which sprouts and produces additional plants in its root zone.
The first year, the canes emerge and grow rapidly; the second year, the canes bud and produce flowers and fruit, and subsequently die after fruiting.
Dewberries have low, vine-like growth habits which rarely reach heights of more than two feet.
Frost and subfreezing temperatures will defoliate these plants, but their root system is quite alive and waiting for warmer weather to continue their conquest of territory.
Andropogon virginicus is a species of weedy grass known as broomsedge. Not a true sedge which has a triangle shaped stem, it is a native grass.
It is a common site in pastures, fallow fields, and under pine trees. Its stands are commonly isolated clumps.
Broomsedge is a perennial grass easily identified from its narrow clumps of stems up to about a yard in maximum height. Its stems and leaves are green when growing, but they turn purplish to orange in the late summer and autumn.
In late autumn and winter, the tufts turn to a light straw color and resemble a broom. The extremely pliable texture of the leaves made them an ideal candidate for the sweeping part of a homemade broom.
Much like dogfennel, if the base of the plant is examined closely, green leaves are present. It too is waiting for the weather to warm so it can again grow and spread.
For the homeowner who has any of these weeds appear in their landscape, winter is an ideal time to dig them out. Since the plants are not actively growing, above ground herbicides will not work.
A thorough job is required to dig them out, or they will appear again next spring. While they may seem as resilient as a robotic killing machine from the future, unlike the Terminator, they can be stopped with enough planning and effort.
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