Silverweed

Common name: Silverweed

Botanical name: Potentilla anserina

Family: Rosaceae

Life cycle: Perennial

Habitat: Silverweed is common on neglected lawns, rarely is it a problem on managed turf.  It can often be found on road sides, sand dunes, grassland and wasteland.

Leaf: The leaves are pinnate (leaves are arrnaged on each side of the stalk). Each leaf can have between multiple heavily toothed leaflets. The top of leaves can be either green or silver in colour, with the underside silver.

Flower: Each flower has  five (sometimes six) bright yellow petals, which can be seen between May and August.

Removal & control: Encourage a healthy lawn with regular feeding and good turf care practices to prevent weeds from invading. Raking this weed prior to mowing will help to remove and weaken the weed.

Silverweed is a stubborn weed to remove with chemicals. In almost all cases, more than one application of a selective herbicide will be required for control.