Prevent

Common Crupina

Crupina vulgaris

Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower)

Common_crupina_MAL
Photo courtesy Dean Swan, Washington State University

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 ActSeeds ActCommunity 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.