Common Weeds of the Midwest

Being a horticulture intern, I pull out lots of weeds from time to time. It can be helpful to know their names because then you can research if they are native or not and also how to control them. Here are the most common weeds I encounter.

Common mullein

This plant is in its second year of growth, which is when it produces this impressive flower spike. It can be up to 2m tall! It's better to pull out this one when it's still just a small rosette of soft, fuzzy leaves.

Broadleaf Plantain

This little weed doesn't grow in the beds, but it thrives in the cracks of the sidewalks. It actually has some use too. A poultice and be made from it to treat minor cuts, burns, and bruises!

Catnip

Catnip is in the mint family, and like many mint types, it has an angled square stem. Yes, it is true, cats act silly after smelling this plant (best if you crush the leaf a little) and some will even eat it. My cats like to roll around on it and also rub their faces a lot.

Prostrate Spurge

This variety is actually spotted spurge, which some consider to be a different species. They both grow low to the ground, creeping along until push or the competition. Once you find the center, though, it's easy to pull out the entire taproot.

Yellow Woodsorrel

Named for the color of its small flowers, this weed has heartshaped trifoliate leaves. It can be used to season foods, having a sour kind of taste.

Black Nightshade

This plant is related to tomatoes and produces clusters of black berries that taste like them too. Their leaves usually have some holes in them.

Ground Ivy

Also called Creeping Charlie due to its growth habit. Non native.

Carpetweed

Lamb's Quarters

Also known as fat hen. The leaves of this plant are edible and highly nutritious. Use like you would use spinach.

Hope you enjoyed this list of common enemies at work.
Have you seen any of these? Then perhaps you live in the Midwest! (or Europe...)
Thank you for reading!