Reproduction of weeds

Annual weeds largely reproduced by seed only, whilst perennials may be from seed or other plant parts such as stolons, underground stems such as rhizomes, suckering tubers, corms, bulbs and root cuttings. The latter are a more serious problem as the greenkeeper must not on the kill existing plants but must prevent reinfestation of the area by seedlings.

The Dandelion, a weed which is often confused with Catsear and the Plantain's and curled Dock reproduce by seeds as well as roots or crowns, when chopped or fragmented by clipping, renovating or boring. Wild onion reproduces by seeds, bulbs and bulbets. Such weed species are static in that the weeds do not move. The other method is spreading in which the weed species spread usually by rhizomes, stolons, roots and tubers.

Rhizomes are underground stems with new shoots developing from buds at the nodes. Cultivation only proliferates the species through a root system which develops at the nodes. Two important weeds of turf areas which spread by rhizomes are Mullumbimby Couch and Johnson grass. Stolons are like rhizomes except they are horizontal and lie above the ground. Couchgrass and Kikuyu grass can be spread by this method. The root systems of field bindweed, common Sowthistle and Sorrel are able to produce adventitious buds which on clipping produce new shoots and independent plants. The Nutgrass produce tubers which are enlarged rhizomes for additional food storage.