Agriculture: Alfalfa Pest Management Guidelines

Common and Scientific Names of Weeds in Established Alfalfa

Common names link to pages with weed descriptions and photos often showing several stages of development.

Common Name Scientific Name
Amaranth, Palmer Amaranthus palmeri
Barley, foxtail Hordeum jubatum
Barley, hare Hordeum murinum subsp. leporinum
Barnyardgrass Echinochloa crus-galli
Bermudagrass Cynodon dactylon
Bindweed, field Convolvulus arvensis
Bluegrass, annual Poa annua
Bluegrass, bulbous Poa bulbosa
Brome, downy Bromus tectorum
Canarygrasses Phalaris spp.
Chickweed, common Stellaria media
Cupgrass, prairie Eriochloa contracta
Dandelion Taraxacum officinale
Dodders Cuscuta spp.
Fiddlenecks Amsinckia spp.
Filarees Erodium spp.
Fleabane, hairy Conyza bonariensis
Flixweed and tansy mustard Descurainia spp.
Foxtails (yellow and green) Setaria spp.
Goosefoot, nettleleaf Chenopodium murale
Goosegrass Eleusine indica
Groundsel, common Senecio vulgaris
Johnsongrass Sorghum halepense
Junglerice Echinochloa colona
Knotweed, prostrate Polygonum aviculare
Lambsquarters, common Chenopodium album
Lettuce, prickly Lactuca serriola
Mallow, little (cheeseweed) Malva parviflora
Miner's lettuce Claytonia perfoliata
Mustards Brassica spp.
Nettle, burning Urtica urens
Nightshades Solanum spp.
Nutsedge, yellow Cyperus esculentus
Oat, wild Avena fatua
Pepperweeds Lepidium spp.
Pigweeds Amaranthus spp.
Plantain, buckhorn Plantago lanceolata
Quackgrass Elytrigia repens
Radish, wild Raphanus raphanistrum
Redmaids (desert rockpurslane) Calandrinia ciliata
Rocket, London Sisymbrium irio
Ryegrass, Italian Lolium multiflorum
Ryegrasses Lolium spp.
Shepherd's-purse Capsella bursa-pastoris
Sowthistles Sonchus spp.
Starthistle, yellow Centaurea solstitialis
Stinkgrass Eragrostis cilianensis
Thistle, Russian Salsola tragus
Witchgrass Panicum capillare
Text Updated: 04/24
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