Invasive Plant: Crown Vetch, Axseed

Click on image for full size viewDescription:
Perennial herbaceous plant. Grows 2-6' long stems with a reclining and trailing growth pattern.  In winter & spring crown vetch can be easily recognized as brown unsightly patches. Leaves are pinnately compound. Flowers are umbels ranging from pink, lavender to white on extended stalks which bloom from May through August.

Seeds live 15 years in soil.  Spread vegetatively with horizontal stems below the soil surface called rhizomes that grow up to 10' long producing new plants.  Serious ecological threat that invades prairies and dunes.  Found along woodland edges, gravel bars along streams, roadsides and other right-of-ways. 

Control:

• Cultural - Repeated late spring mowing has shown some success. Provide several mowings per year over several years. Will not completely control but will stop the spread.
• Chemical - Herbicides at the present time appear to be the most effective means of control. Three different herbicides have been used in varying success: 2,4-D amine (use low volatility formation), Roundup (nonselective herbicide, so other plants covered with the herbicide will be affected), Access, Crossbow, ET, Garlon, Grazon, PathFinder, Redeem, Rely, Remedy, and Turflon (triclopyr 2% solution has been successful in large infestations, dicot specific). Another possibility is Transline which is more specific, in that fewer non-target species will be affected.

Photo Credits: Marsha Watland- BSWCD and Nebraska Weed Control Association. 
Resources: Missouri Department of Conservation