American Burnweed
Scientific Name: Erechtites hieraciifolius
Also Known As: Fireweed
Weed Family: Asteraceae
Description
Robust summer annual with erect, smooth to hairy stems to 8 ft. (2.5 m) tall. Stems solid with white pith, large plants branched above midpoint. Has short fat taproots, often with many adventitious prop roots. Leaves alternate, spiraling, elliptic to lance shaped with narrow, sharp-pointed bases on lower part of stem and clasping bases on upper part of stem. Leaf margins lobed or unlobed, unevenly toothed (serrate); midrib white. Flowers white to pinkish. Seeds with many white hairs at the top. May produce a rank odor when cut or crushed. Found in almost any disturbed area and frequently in pastures and roadsides, especially following fire. Propagates by seed.
Weed Photos: Courtesy of Dr. Lambert McCarty. Clemson University. Clemson, SC.
Herbicide Use
Postemergence control with repeat applications of mixtures of 2,4-D, carfentrazone, dicamba, MCPP, MCPA and/or sulfentrazone. Other postemergence options include triclopyr alone or combined with 2,4-D. Check the herbicide label for specific application rates and turfgrass tolerance before use. Distribution
Germination Dates
