Marestail/Horseweed in Peach Plantings
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Marestail/Horseweed (Conyza canadensis) is an annual to biennial weed that can reach a height of 3 to 6 feet. Stems are nearly completely covered with alternate ascending leaves approximately 2 1⁄2 inches long by 1⁄2 inch wide. Leaves may appear whorled due to their dense arrangement. Seeds germinate through spring, summer, and autumn; plants mature and set seed the same year. Late-season plants overwinter in the rosette state. One plant may release 20,000 seeds that disperse easily by wind.
Marestail growth habit.
(Photo: Rober Videki, Doronicum Kft., Bugwood.org)
Marestail growth habit.
(Photo: John Strang, University of Kentucky)
Marestail flowers.
(Photo: Mary Ellen (Mel) Hart, Bugwood.org)
Management:
- Use shallow cultivation to destroy young plants.
- Apply pre-emergent herbicides to prevent seed germination.
- Apply burn-down herbicides during seedling or rosette stages to destroy young plants.
- Glyphosate-resistant marestail is becoming more common; herbicide-resistant populations should be confirmed by a county Extension agent or the Weed Science Society of America.
