Prevent
Common Crupina
Crupina vulgaris
Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower)
Identification
General characteristics:
Winter annual that can grow to 1m/3 ft tall.
Germinates in fall/winter and grow upright in spring/summer
Stiff stem with small spines
Leaves:
First leaves round and shiny
leaves are lobed or double-lobed and alternate
Older leaves can be prickly
Flowers:
small pink-purple flowers in clusters of 1-5
Blooms in summer
Fruit:
Brown barrel-shaped seed with bristles at one end
Vectors of Spread
Reproduces via seeds. Can spread via:
- Contaminated hay
- Contaminated seeds
- Contaminated machinery and equipment
- Attached to livestock, clothing, fur (especially in the fall)
- Contaminated soil
Bearded Creeper
Origin: Eurasia
Current Distribution: Not present in BC at this time. Present in Washington State
Habitat Preferences: Pastures, grasslands, rangelands, hayfields, forests, riparian areas, roadsides, railroads and waste places.
Agricultural: Common crupina infests hay and other forage crops. It also reduces pasture capacity and livestock productivity. Decreases forage.
Ecological: Infests grasslands and open forests where it competes with native species
Legal Status: Weed Control Act, Seeds Act, Community Charters Act.
Prevention: Prevention includes using clean seed, hay, grain, and straw and watching for common crupina in crops and disturbed areas. Maintain good ground cover in pastures.
Treatment: Infestations can be controlled with herbicides. Biocontrol agents are not available. Cutting or grazing can stimulate lateral growth producing larger quantities of seed and is not recommended.
