Horseweed (marestail) – Conyza canadensis
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EmailConyza canadensis (L.) Cronq.
Asteraceae (Aster family)
MI Status
Native
Life cycle
Erect winter or summer annual.
Leaves
Cotyledons are egg- to spatula-shaped and hairless. Seedling leaves initially develop from a basal rosette; mature leaves are alternate and numerous, and crowded along an erect central stem. Leaves are hairy and linear to lance-shaped with smooth to toothed margins, gradually becoming smaller toward the top of the plant.
Stems
Erect, hairy central stem arises from a basal rosette, then branches to flower, reaching up to 7 feet tall. Flowering branches resemble a horse’s tail.
Flowers and fruit
Numerous clusters of small, white flower heads are found on many short branches near the top. Each seedhead is capable of producing thousands of small seeds; each seed is enclosed in a single-seeded, wind-disseminated fruit.
Reproduction
Seeds.
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