Stinkweed

STINKWEED

(Fanweed, pennycress, frenchweed)

Habitat: Cultivated fields

Description: Stinkweed is an annual plant reproduced by seed.  Stinkweed can produce upwards of 15,000 seeds per plant.  The stems are smooth, erect, often branch out and are 5 - 61 cm in height.  The leaves alternate and the upper ones clasp the stem.  Flowers are white and approximately 3.2 mm across.  The pods are initially green and become yellow/orange at maturity.  Seeds are 4 - 6 inch reddish-brown pods that are flat and have rows of curved ridges on each side.

Control Practices: Cultivation in the fall before freeze-up will help eliminate the weed.  The plants that germinate in the fall or late summer are hard to kill the next spring.  Chemical application is also an option.

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