Marestail (Conyza canadensis)
Description: An annual plant reaching 1'-6' in height. Mature plants have an erect central stem with leaves that are entirely without petioles and inconspicous clustered flowers at the top.
Life cycle: Winter or summer annual
Habitat: Agronomic crops, pastures, orchards, fallow fields, waste areas and roadsides.
Leaf: Mature plants have leaves that are entirely without petioles. Leaves are 4" long, alternately arranged, and crowded along stem. Leaves become progressively smaller up the stem.
Stem: Solid and bristly hairy, reaching 6.5' in height.
Flower: Many inconspicuous flower heads occur at the top of the central stem. Individual flowers are 5 mm in diameter with white or slightly pink ray flowers and yellow disk flowers.
Root: Short taproot with a secondary fibrous root system.
The problem is….marestail is competitive, can interfere with harvest, reduce crop yield and is somewhat resistant to herbicides.
